EAST Lancashire pet owners have been warned not to take their animals on holiday as the risk of infections in humans grows more pronounced.

Easier European travel for pets has introduced diseases such as Mediterranean spotted fever which results in a rash, fever and headaches in humans, and rabies which has symptoms of insomnia, anxiety and possible paralysis.

Professor John Ashton, the North West Director of Public Health, urges pet owners to vaccinate their animals before going abroad.

He said: "It is important for people to realise that taking your pet abroad for holidays means you have a responsibility to ensure that the animal does not bring back dangerous diseases not commonly found in Britain.

"People tend to assume that the only issue is rabies but there are several other diseases which can be transmitted to humans."

Pet owners are urged to take advice from their vet before travelling and consider carefully whether it is wise to take animals to their holiday destination.

The Channel Tunnel and other methods of travel which do not include flying, and the relaxation of strict quarantine, mean more and more poeple are taking their pets away with them.