HEALTH chiefs have reported "no major problems" with hospital admissions, despite an increase in stomach bugs, coughs and colds.

Dr Swamy Narayana who represents doctors on East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, said that during the period of so-called winter illnesses, the advice was that prevention is better than cure.

He added: "People should keep warm, drink plenty of fluids and eat plenty of fruit, and try to keep fit and active. Our normal flu campaign has gone well and that helps to protect people during winter."

Health chiefs are also running a Catch it, kill it, bin it' campaign to encourage people to contain the spread of coughs and sneezes germs, as well as proper and frequent hand-washing, particularly during the colds and flu season.

Lynda Walker, Assistant Director of Operations for Flow for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We have not had an unusually high number of people presenting at our Urgent Care Centres or Emergency Department with sickness and or diarrhoea.

"Many patients are suffering chest and breathing complaints which are usual at this time of year."