MORE than 550 pensioners signed up yesterday to have their free flu jab.

Practice Nurses from Sacriston Surgery and Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT) have joined forces with Sacriston Working Men's Club, County Durham, to help fight flu.

Throughout the day, representatives of a number of local agencies were on hand to offer advice, including the police, Age Concern and Energy Efficiency, which gave out free energy efficient light bulbs.

PCT staff were available to give advice on how to quit smoking, and tell people about the Patient Advice and Liaison Service, healthy eating and how to get the best from medicines.

Sacriston Surgery general manager Tony Gallimore said: "The staff from the surgery and at the PCT worked really hard to organise the flu day and we are delighted at the response that we had from our patients.

Bron Matthews, PCT clinical lead for practice nursing, wants to encourage all older people to get the jab.

She said: "Older people who catch flu can experience more severe problems from the illness. Having the jab every year is the best way to reduce your chances of catching the flu.

"You should have a flu jab if you are over 65, or if you have chronic heart or chest problems, kidney disease, diabetes or problems with your immune system.

"If you have not had the jab or made arrangements to have it, you should contact your doctor's surgery."