Almost 200 people are taking part in a group legal action against an Exeter restaurant following the outbreak of norovirus.

Lawyers who specialize in helping victims of illness outbreaks in the UK and abroad are investigating the norovirus outbreak at Toby Carvery at the Exeter Arms, Middlemoor.

Initially it was thought that in excess of 100 people could have been affected by the outbreak in March.

But solicitors Irwin Mitchell have now revealed that it is representing 193 people in relation to the case.

The restaurant chain confirmed that tests run by the Environmental Health department, after a man was sick in the restaurant foyer in the evening of Sunday, March 29, tested positive for the virus.

The pub underwent a deep clean overnight on Thursday, April 2, but continued to trade over the busy Easter bank holiday weekend when more customers fell ill, finally closing on Tuesday, April 7.

Scores of people claim to have visited Toby Carvery between Monday, March 30, and Easter Sunday, April 5, and since become ill with sickness and diarrhea for several days. Restaurant staff were also affected.