A MERSEYSIDE hotel has been closed after 50 guests were struck down by a highly contagious winter virus.

One of the visitors has since died and an investigation is under way to see if the death was connected to the outbreak of norovirus at the Scarisbrick Hotel in Southport.

The guests who contracted diarrhoea and sickness at the three- star hotel in Lord Street were all from outside the area.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) last night confirmed the death of one guest, but added that it was too soon to state whether the virus was responsible.

A spokesman said: “There is currently no evidence that the death is linked to an outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea, which is under investigation.

“However, a post-mortem examination is being held to determine the cause of death.

“It’s too early to say what caused the outbreak, but the early evidence suggests that it may have been a virus of the norovirus type.”

Despite being booked to near capacity, hotel manager Andrew Gorman yesterday decided to shut the Scarisbrick for a while, as fumigation measures were taken as part of a rigorous cleaning programme.

Several guests who contracted the bug were taken to Southport hospital for treatment.

Mr Gorman said: “We have had a virus that has given people sickness and diarrhoea caused by someone on a coach party bringing it into our hotel.

“We have worked with environmental health officers from the moment we heard of this problem.

“I didn’t take the decision to close lightly but I want to ensure the place is safe. Nobody needs to panic.”