FOOD poisoning cases in East Lancashire have soared during the recent hot spell.

Barbecues and birds pecking the top of milk bottles could be partly responsible for the rise in cases of campylobacter - the most common food poisoning bug.

The East Lancashire Health Authority has had 13 reported cases of campobylacter in the last two weeks - more than twice the average.

Dr Roberta Marshall, consultant in communicable disease control, said the recent hot weather had undoubtedly contributed to the increase.

"Campylobacter is a bacterium found in food, particularly chicken, which can cause diarrhoea and stomach pains,'' she said.

"It is generally not life threatening but very unpleasant, particularly for children or older people.

"People lose a lot of fluids and if they do not drink enough they can get very dehydrated.'' She said it had been proved that birds carried campylobacter and it was often passed on to humans when birds pecked the tops of milk bottles on doorsteps.

Proper cooking and storage of foods were also essential to stop the spread of the disease.

"Raw foods like meat do contain bacteria and they can contaminate foods which aren't going to be cooked, like salads,'' said Dr Marshall.

"When people are in the kitchen they should be aware of the possibility of cross-contamination. It is an under-estimated cause of food poisoning.''

Pat Harris, environmental health officer at Burnley Borough Council, said people should also be wary when using barbecues.

"We have problems with barbecues - undercooked food and a general lack of hygiene because there are no washing facilities outside,'' she said.

"People should buy their food from reputable places and make sure they cook it right through to the middle."

She also warned people not to buy perishable goods and then carry them around for hours in hot weather.

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