The spread of swine flu appears to be slowing in Leicester, according to health officials.

For the past two weeks Leicester has been among the top 10 areas with the highest number of GP consultations about swine flu, but it has now dropped out of that list.

Health officials believe the number of people with the infection has peaked.

Sir Liam Donaldson, England's chief medical officer, said: "We don't really know why some places peak sooner than others."

But he added: "Our strong feeling is that it will surge forward in our flu season in autumn and winter."

Latest figures show that in the past week the number of calls from patients had dropped from around 1,320 to 792.

Across the East Midlands there have been 124 swine flu related hospital admissions.

A total of 6,512 courses of anti viral drugs have been prescribed for city patients.

Despite the slow-down, city health officials are still urging people to keep away from hospital and their GP surgeries if they think they have swine flu.

Instead they should contact the national pandemic flu helpline on 0800 1 513 100.