Three British tourists staying at hotel apartments in the south-eastern holiday resort of Protaras have contracted swine flu.

They are being treated for the disease at Limassol general hospital.

The three friends, all thought to be in their early twenties, are under medical observation and are being given appropriate medication and should receive discharge from the hospital when they show signs of improvement, reports Radio Napa.

A member of cabin crew on the same flight as the British tourists also showed flu symptoms and is receiving preventative treatment.

If confirmed, it will bring to five the number of people in Cyprus who have contracted the H1N1 virus.

Health authorities have traced some of the people who came into contact with the British tourists in Protaras and are taking precautionary measures