A MUM from Widnes is urging parents with young children to get their free flu vaccination to protect themselves and their children from getting ill this winter.

Charlotte Rowley-Jones, mum to three-year-old Esther, has spoken out as part of The Director of Nursing for NHS England, Cheshire and Merseyside's latest campaign.

She said: "I'd definitely recommend the flu nasal spray.

“It's quick, easy and painless.

"Plus the benefit of knowing my little girl won't pick up every little sniffle from pre-school; even if she did catch something the symptoms are less severe and over much quicker.

“The benefits are that she won't pass things on to other people too who may be more vulnerable especially this time of year.”

The NHS across Cheshire and Merseyside has launched a campaign to encourage parents to protect their two to three year olds from the flu and to take up the offer of the free vaccination at their GP practice.

Flu is a highly infectious disease and can be dangerous for children.

To find out more information about the flu vaccine at nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine and by following Facebook @NHSCMLSC or on Twitter @NHSEnglandNorth.