Visitors to an Aberdeenshire care home have been asked to stay away following the outbreak of a sickness bug.
Burnside Care Home in Laurencekirk is in shut-down mode after 20 residents and staff fell ill.
No new admissions are being taken and relatives have been asked not to visit until the viral infection is under control.
It is understood the decision to ask visitors to stay away was taken on Monday night.
Marian Gordon, the care home manager, said: “Some of our residents have unfortunately contracted D&V (diarrhoea and vomiting), which tends to affect older people during the colder months.
“To contain the outbreak, we are following all procedures around infection control policy.
“Our staff are working diligently to keep people as comfortable as possible, but we would advise relatives against coming to visit at this stage to help protect the residents from further spread.
“We expect all the residents to be feeling much better and fully recovered soon.”
Burnside cares for up to 57 people with a number of health conditions, including cancer.
A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said: “We can confirm that there have been residents affected with diarrhoea and/or vomiting at Burnside Care Home.
“At this time of year, it is common for viral infections to cause these symptoms. The care home is currently not taking new admissions.”