GUESTS at a second seaside resort hotel have been struck down by the same stomach bug which affected more than 200 holidaymakers last week.

Health chiefs confirmed that 12 people staying at the Royal Hotel in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, had developed symptoms of the airborne virus Norwalk - a form of gastroenteritis which causes sickness and diarrhoea.

The bug forced the closure of the town's famous Grand Hotel over the weekend after 180 guests and 34 members of staff were taken ill.

North Yorkshire Health Authority said the cases were probably linked, with the likelihood being that a guest brought the bug into the Royal after attending a dance with people who were staying at the Grand.

A spokesman said: "There have been a few cases now at the Royal Hotel, but it is on a much smaller scale than the outbreak at the Grand. The same protections have been put in place at the Royal as last week.

"Guests with the symptoms are being asked to stay in their rooms while staff with the bug have been asked to stay at home. We think there is a link between the outbreak at the Royal and that of last week."

Symptoms are said to be similar to gastric flu and experts say the virus usually runs its course within 48 hours.