Sixty patients have been struck down by a stomach virus which has swept through one of Sussex's main hospitals.

About ten wards have been affected by an outbreak of gastro-enteritis.

Several members of staff have also been affected and hospital bosses fear the problem could get worse before it gets better.

All non-urgent operations have been cancelled until at least the end of the week as the hospital struggles to contain the spread of the virus.

Gastro-enteritis is not life-threatening but it is distressing for those who catch it. It can also be debilitating for elderly patients or those weakened by illness.

The bug causes diarrhoea and vomiting, sometimes accompanied by headaches or fever.

It is extremely infectious and staff are trying to stop the virus spreading by isolating affected patients and ensuring that infected hospital workers stay away for 48 hours.

Martin Smits, the hospital's chief nurse, said: "Although outbreaks of this kind are not uncommon in hospitals, it has unfortunately hit us at a time when the hospital is under real pressure after the Christmas period.

"Due to the number of wards affected, we have unfortunately had to cancel all our non-urgent operations for the rest of the week.

"We are also asking for help in trying to contain the outbreak. If patients experience any symptoms, please report them to staff as soon as possible.

"If you are a relative or visitor, please refrain from visiting the hospital if you suspect you may have the virus for at lest 48 hours."

There have been a handful of cases of gastro-enteritis in the Hailsham area and hospital bosses believe this may have contributed to the outbreak.

A hospital spokesman said: "We have had to stop new patients from going on to the wards affected, which obviously has a knock-on effect on patients admitted through accident and emergency as the number of available beds has been reduced.

"We have not had to close the A&E department but finding places for patients is difficult, which is why we had to take the reluctant decision to cancel non-urgent operations."

Hospital bosses are meeting every day to review the outbreak and decide what action they need to take.

They hope the number of cases has reached its peak and routine operations can resume next week.

East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority has been told about the outbreak and is being kept informed of developments.