HEALTH chiefs in Darlington fear elderly and vulnerable people have become complacent about keeping flu at bay.

Darlington Primary Care Trust has sent thousands of letters to those eligible for flu jabs, but says not everyone who needs the vaccination is choosing to have it.

"Every year, the trust strives to persuade people aged 65 and over to have the flu vaccination," said a spokesman.

"But the absence of any outbreaks in recent years has led to complacency over a disease which was responsible for more deaths than the fighting during the First World War.

"Vaccination is needed every year because the flu virus mutates, making previous ones ineffective."

The trust is putting on a flu bus to take vaccines to old people and chronic disease sufferers in Darlington and surrounding rural areas.

District nursing teams will also visit residential and nursing homes and housebound residents.

The timetable for the bus is:

Today: Victoria House car park from 9.30am to 11am; Haughton Working Men's Club car park from 11.05am to 12.30pm; Hundens Park care home from 1.30pm to 2.20pm; Wesley Court from 2.30pm to 4pm.

Tomorrow: Ted Fletcher Court car park from 9.30am to 11am; Rockwell House from 11.05am to 12.30pm; Burns pub car park from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Wednesday: Asda car park from 9.30am to 12.30pm; Red Hall estate Festings Court from 1.30pm to 3pm; Anfield Court from 3.05pm to 4pm.

Thursday: Beaumont Hill School from 9.30am to 11am; Rolling Mills car park from 11.05am to 12.30pm; Morrisons North Road car park from 1.30pm to 2.20pm; Richard Court from 2.30pm to 4pm.

Friday: The Model T car park from 9.30am to 11am; Sir ED Walker Homes from 11.05am to 12.30pm; Branksome Hall Drive from 1.30pm to 2.20pm; and Alderman Leach School from 2.30pm to 4pm.

November 2: Sadberge Village Hall from 2pm to 4pm.

November 3: Middleton Hall from 9am to 11am; Long Newton from 11.05am to 1pm; Trees Park from 1.30pm to 4pm.