MANCHESTER United soccer star Paul Scholes is backing a health campaign to urge people with chronic diseases to claim their free flu jab.

The Department of Health has launched its winter flu campaign to urge people to visit their doctor for the jab because flu is a contributory factor in up to 4,000 deaths a year.

The jab is open to people with diabetes, heart and lung conditions, kidney disease, those with low immunity and the over 65s.

And Scholes, who suffers from severe asthma, has volunteered to help.

He said: "Staying fit and healthy is vital for me and for my career. I can't afford to miss games and a bad bout of flu could put me out of action for at least a couple of weeks.

"I'll be getting my jab this year and I'd urge anyone with asthma who is worried about coming down with flu to do the same."

In the run up to the winter months, the Bolton Primary Care Trust has been working with local GPs to support their immunisation work and liaising with community groups, such as the Asian Elders Initiative, to make sure the message about the importance of flu jabs reaches everyone.

Jan Hutchinson, Director of Public Health, says it's important to keep reminding people. "It's not a new message -- most people know by now that flu is a nasty illness especially for older people, and that the flu jab offers the best protection available," she said.

Professor Qutub Syed, Director at the Health Protection Agency North-west, said: "Flu is a nasty condition and though most people who are otherwise fit, healthy and young will fight it off in a couple of weeks, it can be very serious indeed for people with other underlying chronic conditions.

"Anyone coming into one of these categories should see their GP to discuss the possibility of having a flu jab as soon as possible and before winter sets in."

The HPA will be keeping an eye on flu strains in the UK by monitoring laboratory reports of confirmed cases.

Up to 200 GP consultations per 100,000 people in the population is considered normal for the Winter months with above that being viewed as an epidemic.