FLU victims in a North-East town are backing an annual vaccination campaign by recalling the agony of a illness that is often played down by the public.

Every year, Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) strives to persuade people aged 65 and over in the town to have the flu jab.

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

Thousands of letters are to posted to eligible patients urging them to make an appointment for the jab.

The aim is to vaccinate residents who are deemed most at risk, either because of their age or because they live with long-term illnesses.

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

For PCT manager Sue Lawrence the memory of contracting flu has never faded.

She said: "You feel like you are going to die and can't imagine ever being well again.

"It started as a cold and then I developed a racking cough and couldn't get out of bed. It was a struggle to even get up to go to the toilet.

"You feel tired all the time but can't sleep. I didn't eat anything for days and there is no treatment. You just have to suffer.

"You are a danger to yourself and a danger to others. I think I might have passed it on to one of my friends. Ever since, I have had a flu jab every year and I have had no problems."

Flu campaign co-ordinator Marilyn Abbott said the PCT would be targeting patients and teams of nurses would be working in the community to ensure vulnerable people received the vaccination, particularly in nursing and residential homes.