Leicester is ranked as the sixth highest in the country for the number of swine flu cases

But local health officials say the place in the chart is because of an overall reduction in cases across the country.

Latest figures from the Chief Medical Officer show that in the past week there were 93 suspected cases in the city, compared with the last figure of 159.

Numbers in the county have also dropped from 189 to 77.

Dr Peter Marks, swine flu director for NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland, said: "Since swine flu became a global pandemic in the early summer last year, the NHS has responded exceptionally well, showing that our preparation work for such a pandemic was well worthwhile.

"As swine flu deaths are still being reported in parts of the UK we would be very unwise to let down our guard."

Dr Marks said that a programme to vaccinate children aged between six months and five years was now under way.

"Despite this being a very busy period for GPs, especially in the current cold snap, most surgeries are taking part in the vaccination programme," he said.

Leicester City and Leicestershire County and Rutland community health services are also on standby in case help is needed to immunise the estimated 50,000 children in the age group.