Medway has the third highest number of people going to their GP with flu symptoms in England and Wales.

Latest figures from the Health Protection Agency show only Middlesborough and an area around Wigan recorded more patients consulting their doctor with suspected flu.

Medway recorded 95 cases per 100,000 in the week beginning January 10.

That compares with just 4.5 cases in Medway in the beginning of December - a massive leap of more than 2,000 per cent.

In the post-Christmas week, the Towns saw nearly 116 cases in every 100,000 people.

Dr Alison Barnett, director of public health for Medway, said: "Over the period December to January, all regions saw an increase in numbers of patients consulting their GPs about flu-like illness.

"Medway was no exception. The peak consultation rate here was similar to other parts of the country.

"The data is based on reports from a number of GP practices in Medway. If extrapolated across the area, they would indicate that around 240 people in Medway consulted their GPs about flu-like illness in the week starting 10 January.

"This is a pattern we commonly see with seasonal flu. We would continue to urge people in the at risk groups, including pregnant women, to be vaccinated if they have not yet been vaccinated."