PENSIONERS in East Dur-ham are being urged to get a winter flu jab and health check at two sessions this week.

The Easington Primary Care Trust (PCT) has held a series of events across the area.

At the sessions, held with Age Concern and GP practices, people can get flu jabs, advice on staying healthy through winter and blood pressure checks.

Advice is also available from chiropodists, dieticians and community pharmacists and a free lunch is served from noon.

The last two events will be on Wednesday at Peterlee Labour Club and on Thursday at Earl House, Seaham. Both run from 10.30am to 2pm.

The trust's health development specialist for older people, Julie Englund, said: "We hope the remaining two events prove as big a success as the events we have had to date.

"So far, more than 400 people have attended the events and enjoyed all that is on offer.

"These events highlight the importance of looking after your health, especially in the cold winter months.

"For most individuals, flu is not a dangerous illness, although it can obviously be very unpleasant.

"However, for older people and other at-risk patients, catching the flu can lead to serious health complications.

"Every year, some people die from the complications of flu and these are mainly older people who have not had the jab.''