CHILDREN have become ill with sickness and diarrhoea at a private nursery in Newport.

Newport City Council has confirmed it was informed on Tuesday, with 23 cases of illness reported so far.

The council's environmental health officers are investigating with Public Health Wales, and based on symptoms which have been reported they suspect it could be viral gastroenteritis.

Such outbreaks are not unusual, especially at this time of year, said a spokeswoman for Newport Council .

The cases were reported a week after 74 people at Newport's Hilton Hotel were struck down by suspected norovirus.

It is important that anyone with vomiting or diarrhoea should not return to work or school for 48 hours after their last symptoms as gastrointestinal illnesses like this are easily passed from person to person.

Public Health Wales has advised that anyone who has been unwell with diarrhoea or vomiting for more than 48 hours should contact their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.