Passengers are being held on a UK-operated cruise ship in France after 49 people fell ill with gastroenteritis.

Local authorities in Bordeaux said three passengers had been isolated in their cabins on the Ambition, while other passengers will not be able to disembark in the port.

The cruise ship set sail from Belfast on 8 May, before heading to Liverpool the next day.

Ambassador Cruise Line told the BBC in a statement that enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols had been implemented across the ship “in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness”.