Kent County Council has offered tips on avoiding stomach bugs including the dreaded norovirus.

This bug is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in England and Wales; it can affect people of any age and is more common during the winter.

However there are simple steps which can prevent the spread of infection and aid recovery.

Kent County Council’s interim director of public health Andrew Scott-Clark said: "Whilst this condition, sometimes called 'winter vomiting disease' or 'winter vomiting bug,' is an unpleasant experience, the infection tends to be short lived and most people will just need to drink plenty of fluids and take plenty of rest. 

"However, people who are already ill, such as patients in hospital, can sometimes get quite poorly as the illness can interfere with the effectiveness of the medicines they are taking and also make them weak and dehydrated."

Kent NHS also offers a free web app, Health Help Now, to help people find the right treatment. 

For more information, visit nhs.uk