NEW figures show there were three confirmed measles cases in Pendle in April, as health officials continue a catch-up vaccination campaign for youngsters.

There were five other cases in the rest of Lancashire and Cumbria in April, but none of these were reported in East Lancashire.

Since the start of the year there have been 73 confirmed cases across the region, though an outbreak in the Lancaster district accounted for 52 of those.

Blackburn with Darwen has had one confirmed case since January, with one also reported in Chorley. None were reported in Pendle until the April figures were published.

No cases have been reported in Hyndburn, Rossendale or Burnley.

A national catch-up programme is aiming to prevent measles outbreaks by giving MMR to as many unvaccinated and partially vaccinated 10-16-year-olds as possible.

This age group is most at risk of measles due to the fall in coverage of MMR that occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s when concern around the discredited link between autism and the vaccine was widespread.

Dr Jane Rossini, Public Health England’s Cumbria and Lancashire centre director, said: “The message to parents who think their child may not be fully immunised is to check today and book an appointment with your GP.”