Restrictions have been put in place after one of Bradford's biggest secondary schools was hit by an outbreak of winter vomiting.

On Thursday a total of 32 pupils at Immanuel College in Greengates were reported to have been laid low by the Norovirus bug, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

A smaller number of youngsters at St Joseph's College in Manningham had also been affected, a Bradford Council spokesman said.

Letters have been sent to parents warning them to keep children away from school if they show signs of suffering from symptoms of the highly-contagious virus, in a bid to stop it spreading.

John Major, the Council's assistant director for environmental health, said: "Where children are suffering from Norovirus, or winter vomiting, as it is commonly known, it is important that parents do not send them back to school until at least 48 hours after they are well and symptom free. This is essential to prevent further spread.

"Where there is an outbreak at a school, a risk assessment will be carried out and restrictions imposed to reduce the risk of it spreading. This may include stopping visitors and some activities.

"We are working closely with Education Bradford, the schools and the Health Protection Agency to monitor the situation daily.

"Children and adults with symptoms are advised not to attend community events or centres, hospitals and other similar places as they may spread the illness. Good personal hygiene and hand washing will help to prevent spread."

Meanwhile two wards at Bradford Royal Infirmary have been closed to new admissions as a result of the winter vomiting bug.

A spokesman for the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The foundation trust is coping well and is continuing to run normally. We have measures in place to combat this infection but ask for support from local people to help prevent the illness spreading. Anyone who wishes to visit our hospitals should not come in if they have any symptoms or have had symptoms in the previous 48 hours.

"Visitors should also remember to use the alcohol gel provided at ward and department entrances. Anyone with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting should contact NHS Direct for advice."

Leeds Road Hospital also remained closed to new admissions on Thursday while deep cleaning took place following an outbreak of the bug. A spokesman for Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (tPCT) said the hospital was expected to re-open on Friday. Shipley Hospital re-opened earlier this week after cleaning took place.

The trust spokesman added: "Infection prevention and control measures remain in place and we are continuing to ask relatives not to visit elderly patients until they are fully recovered or if they are ill themselves."

Airedale Hospital in Steeton was said to be running as normal.