DOCTORS in Notts are under increasing pressure because of an early spread of flu.

The Peacock Surgery in Carlton Road has been swamped with people with flu symptoms and has already given out between 500 and 600 flu jabs so far this year.

Experts say the flu virus has hit about a month early.

Figures from NHS Direct show calls about flu, coughs, colds and sore throats are up nationally by 306% between September 8 and December 7 this year compared to last year.

Many doctors surgeries have had to reorganise their appointment systems to cope.

Dr Richard Slack, of the Notts branch of the Health Protection Agency, said there have been reports of influenza A in Nottingham. It is the virus which causes flu.