The number of people contracting swine flu in England dropped to 64,000 this week, from 84,000 last week, according to Department of Health figures. The number in hospital with the condition fell to 785, from 848.

The fall may only be temporary, due to the school half-term break. In Scotland, the number of new cases rose to 21,500. Across the UK a total of 182 people have died.

Sir Liam Donaldson, the government's chief medical officer, said he was making a "strong recommendation" to pregnant women to be vaccinated as they were at higher risk of complications.