Parents in North Wiltshire are being warned an outbreak of the highly contagious hand, foot and mouth disease is sweeping the town.

Every year, a number of babies and toddlers contract the illness, which causes ulcerated feet, hands and mouths, but doctors in the Chippenham area are reporting the highest number for some years.

One parent, whose toddler has gone down with the illness, said: "Apparently there are a lot more cases this year and it is spreading fast because it is so contagious.

"Our surgery said they had dealt with five cases in one day last week."

Wiltshire Health Authority spokesman Annmarie Carlen said there were often cases in the spring and autumn, with most occurring in pre-schools and nurseries.

She said: "We are aware that we currently have an increased number of cases of this illness in Chippenham and that doctors are being contacted about more cases than usual, but it is not a notifiable disease."

Gillian Key, who runs children's nurseries in Chippenham and Calne, said both had had more children than usual go down with the illness.

She said: "It does seem rather unusual. We have been going for 10 years and it just seems to have come to a height this year.

"We rang the doctor today to get direction on what we should do. It is highly contagious and once a child gets it, it does tend to go around, but in a way, it's better that they get it and get it over with."

She said hygiene was already a priority at the nurseries, but staff were stepping it up and concentrating on cleaning the toys even more regularly.

The health authority has an advisory leaflet for parents on the illness.

Parents are being advised that the illness usually lasts about a week and should get better without treatment.

It can be spread through contact with tissues, handkerchiefs, nappies, saliva and toys.

Parents are advised to seek medical help if their child's temperature is not brought down by medication or if they develop pains in the head, neck, arms or legs, or become dehydrated.

Children develop immunity to the infecting virus but some people can be affected later in life by the reactivated virus re-presenting itself as cold sores.

The medical name for the condition is coxackievirus and is different to the killer foot and mouth disease which affects farm animals.

Chippenham GP Dr Barney Williams said: "Parents should not worry if their child gets it because it does not produce any lasting effects."

Places affected by the latest outbreak are being advised by the health authority to instruct all staff to pay particular attention to hygiene.

It said: "Hand washing is most important, especially after changing nappies, going to the toilet of handling tissues. If there is an outbreak, this is even more important."