Hospital bosses have told patients to honour their appointments despite an alarming stomach bug outbreak which has affected half its wards.

Ten out of 20 wards have been affected by gastro-enteritis, forcing all non-urgent operations to be cancelled.

But bosses at Eastbourne District General Hospital stress patients should still attend appointments.

The non-life-threatening virus causes diarrhoea and vomiting, sometimes accompanied by headaches or fever.

It is extremely infectious and staff, including the hospital's infection control team, are battling to control it.

More than 60 patients have so far been affected.

Measures include isolating or segregating affected patients and making sure staff with the virus stay off work for 48 hours.

Chief nurse Martin Smits said: "Our staff are managing very well in difficult circumstances.

"We are doing everything we can to stop the virus spreading."

The outbreak comes as the hospital is facing a bed-blocking crisis, with 42 beds occupied by people ready to be discharged but with nowhere to go.