ELDERLY people were today given a stark warning as the flu crisis threatened to deepen across East Lancashire: "Get yourselves a jab as soon as possible."

Public health officials have urged everybody over 75 and those considered most at risk of contracting influenza to make an appointment at their doctor's surgery for a flu jab.

The appeal came after it was revealed yesterday that all non-emergency operations at Burnley General Hospital had been postponed and staff were struggling to cope with the demand for beds.

Staff at hospitals in Blackburn are also under extreme pressure as people are admitted with a range of chest and respiratory problems.

Latest figures have also showed that 167 people out of every 100,000 in the North West have been hit by the outbreak - compared with 77 out of 100,000 at the start of October.

Public health experts warned today that the situation was going to get worse over the next three weeks.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust spokesman Rob Bellingham said there was a lot of pressure in the hospital system. He said most beds were full, with only about 30 being available.

Dr Stephen Morton, East Lancashire's public health director, said people should get a flu jab if they had not had one.

Regional epidemiology expert Professor Qutub Syed, based at the North West Public Health Laboratory Service, said: "There are many viruses which mimic the symptoms of influenza and both flu and these flu-like illnesses start attacking people the winter months, usually peaking around December. "The problem is exacerbated by higher levels of social activity at this time of year.

Flu is spread from person to person via coughs and sneezes, and social gatherings are an obvious trouble spot.

"We expect to see an increase in the number of people consulting their GP as a result of flu and flu-like illnesses and also an increase in the numbers of people being admitted to hospital.

"Staff across the NHS are doing their utmost to cope and we hope to see a reduction in the number of sufferers as soon as possible."

Early symptoms of flu and flu-like illnesses include headaches, runny nose, aching limbs and high temperatures. Flu can lead to complications such as ear infection, bronchitis and respiratory problems including pneumonia.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.