A mass vaccination programme to protect young children and babies against swine flu has begun in Leicestershire.

Most jabs will be given to children through GP surgeries.

Patients at surgeries which cannot cope with the extra numbers will have injections at special clinics. There are an estimated 60,000 children in Leicestershire, between six months and five on December 31, who qualify for the flu injection.

Parents of youngsters eligible will receive a letter letting them know when their child can be vaccinated.

Bhupendra Modi is one of the first GPs in the city giving the jabs at his surgeries at Canon Street, Belgrave, and Northern Heights, Northfields, Leicester. He has about 180 children in the qualifying age group.

Dr Modi said: "We are offering the vaccination to parents bringing their children in for routine immunisations and writing to others who qualify for the injection.

"We are continuing to vaccinate patients under 65 with underlying health conditions. It is likely to be the new year before we are able to get to everyone, but supplies of vaccine are coming through.

"We are seeing many fewer cases of suspected swine flu. If as many children, especially toddlers, can be vaccinated before the schools go back, hopefully, we will see less of a surge in cases in the new year."

The under-fives will receive one jab, following recommendations from the European Medicines Agency, which has licensed the vaccines being used.