Winter pressures on Swindon hospitals could be eased by a comprehensive programme of flu vaccination which has treated more than 40,000 people in Wiltshire.

The measure, combined with a government decision to prescribe the anti-flu drug Relenza on the NHS to high risk groups could also help avert a repeat of last year's hospital beds crisis.

The ruling by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence reversed last year's decision not to make the drug available.

Although Relenza is not a cure, it can reduce the duration of flu by up to two days and ease the aches and pains that accompany the virus. Last winter, Swindon's Princess Margaret Hospital and Victoria Hospital struggled to cope with the influx of flu patients and many patients had to be cared for in hospital corridors and non-urgent operations had to be cancelled.

The problem was reflected nationally and in October, the Government announced an extra investment of £60m to increase the coverage of the National Flu Immunisation Campaign £200,000 of this money has been invested in the Swindon area.

Immunisation is now being offered to anyone over the age of 65 for the first time. In previous years it has been recommended for over 75s only.

The National Flu Immunisa-tion Campaign was launched by retired boxer Sir Henry Cooper who urged everyone over the age of 65 to contact their local GP for the vital jab.

It aims to reach 60 per cent of the targeted at-risk groups, including those with underlying medical conditions such as chronic respiratory renal or heart disease, diabetes or impaired immunity.

In Wiltshire, everyone at risk should now have been contacted by their local surgery offering them the chance to have a free flu vaccine. Surgeries have promoted the flu vaccination campaign with leaflets and posters.

Wiltshire Health Authority chief executive Jeremy Hallett, who helped launch Flu Awareness Day last month, said: "The county's uptake was excellent and shows that everyone is taking notice of this important health message."

He added that it was important for people in the at risk groups to ensure they have been vaccinated.

"It makes good common sense and is all about doing our best to keep well during the winter months."

For most sufferers, flu is simply a particularly unpleasant and debilitating version of the common cold.

But influenza can also be a killer, contributing to an average of 3,000 to 4,000 deaths a year.

The virus is transmitted by coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms usually start after an incubation period of one to four days and include headache, fever, loss of appetite, weakness and general aches and pains. The vast majority of patients recover, but older and particularly vulnerable sufferers may go on to develop pneumonia which can be fatal in some cases.