HUNDREDS of Bolton pilgrims planning to take part in the Muslim Hajj to Mecca next year are being urged to make sure they get meningitis jabs.

Last year 10 people in England died from meningitis after coming back from pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia or being in contact with someone who has been.

And this year the Saudi Arabian Embassy is insisting that all travellers to the Hajj book their visit though approved tour operators and can provide proof of immunisation.

The vaccine needed protects against the A, C and Y strains of the disease as well as the unusual W135 strain which has caused more than 80 cases of the illness among people in England over the last two years.

Bolton's consultant in communicable disease control, Dr Robert Aston, stressed the importance of guarding against meningitis when visiting Saudi Arabia.

He recalledt a case two years ago in neighbouring Wigan when a child caught the disease after being in contact with relatives who had returned home from Mecca carrying the illness.

"Very sadly the child died," he said.

The Hajj next year takes place in the last week in February and Dr Aston says anyone planning to take part should start making inquiries about immunisation. This week the Department of Health also started a campaign aimed at promoting the vaccination message.

A multi-lingual leaflet is being distributed through mosques, travel agents, GPs and NHS trusts.

People who will be needing the vaccine need to contact their doctors so practices can order in supplies and administer the vaccine in time for it to become effective.

The Government's chief medical officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, said: "We have been working closely with the Government of Saudi Arabia which has stated that in 2002 entry to the Hajj may be refused to those who do not have a valid certificate showing that they have received this vaccine."