CASES of MRSA have fallen by more than half at East Lancashire’s hospitals - and bosses said outbreaks were at their lowest level for seven years.

New figures from the Health Protection Agency show that there were just 28 cases recorded throughout the area’s hospitals in the year from April 2007, compared to 67 in the previous year.

The data includes cases from the Royal Blackburn Hospital, Burnley General Hospital, Rossendale General Hospital and Pendle Community Hospital.

Between July and September last year, the trust recorded just three cases of the infection.

The fall in cases comes after the nation-wide “deep clean” of all hospitals at the beginning of this year, and a tightening-up of infection control measures across all East Lancashire hospital departments.

Marie Burnham, chief executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The reduction means we now have the lowest number in the last seven years.

“This has been achieved with a package of measures.

"Hand hygiene, high standards of clinical practice, prudent use of antibiotics, high standards of cleanliness including the deep clean have contributed towards this, with matrons and clinical champions playing key roles.

“I would like to personally say thank you to all our staff who have helped achieve this reduction in the MRSA figures.

"However, we will not become complacent and we will continue to strive for further improvements.”