A MAJOR national campaign offering protection against influenza will target the 57,000 people in the Morecambe Bay area aged 65 and over.

The campaign launched yesterday will encourage elderly people to be vaccinated by GPs or nurses.

Those in at-risk groups - people who live in old people's homes or nursing homes, as well as those with chronic heart or chest complaints including asthma, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and lowered immunity - will also be eligible for a free flu jab.

A Morecambe Bay Health Authority spokesman said: "We have been working for some time with all GP practices to ensure they are able to identify the patients they have who should have this vaccination.

"But part of this campaign is to make sure that all people who are 65 or over, or in an at-risk group, know to contact their local surgery for their free flu jab."