HUNDREDS of cases of food poisoning are being reported in the North-East as picnics and barbecues increase during the summer months.

Tees Health Authority is encouraging people on Teesside to be finicky over their food because eating outdoors can be hazardous if standards of hygiene fall.

Dr Ian Holtby, from the public health department, said: "Food poisoning causes a lot of illness both nationally and regionally.

"During 1999, we became aware of 764 cases of suspected food poisoning in our health authority area but this is just the tip of the iceberg. When people do get upset stomachs it doesn't get reported.

"A lot of people end up in hospital, which occupies beds. These are all avoidable illnesses if they take note of the tips we are giving out now."

Health professionals on Teesside say that the number of cases of food poisoning increases during the summer months, and while some of this can be put down to travellers and holidaymakers returning from abroad, the rest is simply due to a lack of hygiene.

The health authority has now taken the step of issuing posters to GP practices and pharmacies, community and health centres, supermarkets, libraries and other establishments throughout the area as a way of informing people on the best way to handle and prepare food.

Advice includes keeping hot foods hot and cold food cold by not allowing either to be left standing and keeping uncooked food away from food which is ready to eat, especially when preparing a barbecue