The number of people on board a Southampton cruise liner with norovirus has risen.

The USA's Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that more than 240 people on Queen Mary 2 have now reported the illness since it set sail from Southampton on March 8.

That number includes 224 of the 2,538 passengers, almost 9 per cent, and 17 crew.

The ship is currently in the mid Atlantic and is due back in Southampton on Sunday.

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The CDC has reported the main symptoms on board the Queen Mary 2 are diarrhoea and vomiting.

The CDC said that the Cunard Line has increased disinfection on board the ship and infected passengers have also been quarantined from others on board.

This outbreak comes after a string of Norovirus and Gastroenteritis outbreaks on cruise ships last year.