THE number of people aged 65 or over who have taken up free flu jabs in Richmondshire and Hambleton has gone up to 78 per cent, figures have revealed.

The success is being put down to hard work by GP practices and primary care staff in exceeding the Government's 70 per cent target.

Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) has thanked all concerned for their efforts.

Of the PCT's 18 GP practices, seven achieved figures of more than 80 per cent, 14 exceeded their own performance for the previous year and all 18 were over the national target.

Dr Phil Kirby, public health director, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the uptake in our area. These excellent figures are the result of the hard work and dedication of our colleagues in general practice, especially practice nurses.

"We are so grateful for their efforts."

The PCT's pharmaceutical advisor, Ken Latta, said: "After several years of campaigning for older people to take advantage of the free vaccination, we can see that getting the flu jab is becoming a regular part of most older peoples' routines once autumn comes along.

"This is excellent news, because sooner or later we will have a major flu epidemic in this country and the more people who get vaccinated the more lives will be saved."