A VILLAGE workingmen's club becomes a community surgery for one day, next week.

Practice nurses from Sacriston Surgery, and Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT) are joining forces to fight flu.

More than 550 patients aged 65 and over from the surgery have already signed up to attend Sacriston Workingmen's Club to have a free flu jab, on Thursday.

Some vacancies remain and people are welcome to put their names forward to add to the list.

Throughout the day representatives of other agencies will be on hand to offer advice, including a community police officer, Age Concern, Chester-le-Street Carers' Association, Welfare Rights staff, Chester-le-Street District Council Careline officials and the group Energy Efficiency, which will be giving out free energy-efficient light bulbs.

Trust staff will also be on hand to give advice on quitting smoking, healthy eating and getting the best from medicine.

Sacriston Surgery general manager Tony Gallimore said: "Staff from the surgery and at the PCT have been working really hard to organise the flu day, and we're delighted with the response we've had from our patients.

"We would also like to express our thanks to the Sacriston Workingmen's Club for hosting the day free of charge.

"We hope the event will be a big success and that patients will value the opportunity to get advice and information from a number of local agencies on some important topics."

Further information is available from the surgery, on 0191-371 0232.