Hospital bosses have urged patients, staff and visitors to wear surgical face masks to combat a surge in flu cases. A spokesperson for Southmead Hospital in north Bristol said they have seen a "sharp rise" in flu and respiratory illness – particularly since the start of the year.

A top NHS doctor has warned the peak of the flu season is yet to come as hospitals wards across England are “full to bursting”.

With flu cases on the rise, there's increasing debate over whether face masks should return to help curb the spread. What do you think?

The number of people with flu in hospital in England has risen sharply over Christmas, NHS chiefs warn. The latest data shows there were 5,000 patients in hospital with the virus at the end of last week - almost 3.