Swine flu causes communion cancellation

"Until further notice, only the bread will be distributed at Communion. It has always been held that to receive only one of the elements - either the bread or the wine - is still to share fully in the sacrament of Holy Communion."

In a letter to churches last month the Archbishop of Canterbury advised ministers not to serve communion wine and to use alcohol-based cleaning rubs to wash their hands and help curb the spread of the disease.

Swine flu - which is a new strain of influenza H1N1 - has been a factor in the death of 44 people in Britain and 1,735 worldwide since it emerged in Mexico in April.

The number of cases in Britain is thought to be falling but health bosses are bracing themselves for another wave of infection in the autumn.

NHS Hounslow is gearing up to begin its first round of swine flu vaccinations for the most vulnerable early next month.

Pregnant women, the elderly, health workers and people with chronic heart, respiratory, kidney, liver or degenerative neurological disease are going to be first to receive the jab as soon as the vaccine is ready.

Director of public health, Dr Mike Robinson said: "Plans are being developed to ensure that vaccine protection is offered to local residents and staff most likely to suffer from complications of swine flu or who are likely to spread the infection to more vulnerable people.

"We are ready to offer protection to the most vulnerable people as soon as the Department of Health signals the start."