THOUSANDS of Lancashire holiday-makers heading for Europe this summer are being warned of a potentially life-threatening disease.

Tick borne encephalitis (TBE) can lead to meningitis and in serious cases result in paralysis and death, with about one in 30 cases proving fatal.

TBE is now endemic in 16 established and emerging holiday hotspots.

Figures from the Civil Aviation Authority show that over 666,000 holiday-makers flew from Liverpool's John Lennon, and Manchester International airports to TBE endemic countries last summer.

Now the Tick Alert campaign is highlighting the dangers of infections that ticks can cause including TBE abroad and Lyme disease in the UK.

The chances of being bitten are greater as global warming increases the number of ticks in the countryside.

TBE at-risk groups include all visitors to rural areas of endemic countries, particularly those participating in outdoor activities such as trekking, hiking, climbing, cycling and camping popular pursuits on family and active holidays who have not taken bite prevention precautions.

It is estimated that there are over 3,000 cases of TBE each year in endemic countries.

Central and eastern Europe is fast becoming a popular family and active holiday destination.

UK visitors to Hungary were up by 47 per cent in the summer of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004.

Similarly, visitors to Poland rose by 92 per cent.

The Foreign Office advises that visitors to TBE endemic regions seek advice from their local surgery or clinic well before travelling.

Further information on the endemic regions of Europe and latest advice for travellers is available at www.masta.org/tickalert.