A measles health alert has been issued after unvaccinated holidaymakers returning from Europe lead to a surge in cases.

Public Health England have urged people to protect themselves from the viral illness after more than 250 cases have been reported since the start of the year.

A further 90 laboratory tests are also underway, meaning the number could be higher. Last year, just 243 cases were reported.

Health officials suspect the rise can be attributed to holidaymakers returning from the continent. In Europe, there has been a large outbreak in measles this year.