TONSIL operations have resumed in East Lancashire -- five months after they were banned over fears that excessive bleeding during surgery could lead to a spreading of the human form of mad cow disease.

A ban was placed on all tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy operations in February while the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Trust awaited delivery of disposable instruments to replace the re-usable instruments.

The Trust suspended operations after advice from the Department of Health.

While there is no evidence of any patient being infected with the disease, the DoH said precautions could be taken to reduce the "theoretical risk" of transmission to patients.

The new instruments have been delivered to Blackburn Royal Infirmary -- where the bulk of all tonsil operations for East Lancashire take place -- and the operations has resumed.

A government allocation covered the cost of the single instruments which cost in the region of £25-£120 depending on the type of operation.

The ban has caused a backlog with 528 children in East Lancashire waiting for surgery.

Trust chief executive John Thomas said: "I can confirm that tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy operations have resumed following the delivery of single use instruments.

"We are putting on additional operating sessions to ensure that children on the waiting list are operated on as soon as possible."