COMMUNION wine has been banned in Lancashire churches in a bid to help stop the spread of swine flu.

The move by The Rt Rev Nicholas Reade comes as health officials predict that a borough in the area could see a peak of 300 new cases of the virus every day.

And three ‘anti-viral collection centres’ in Accrington, Bacup and Burnley have been set up to hand out medication to those suspected of having the virus.

Unveiling the Church of England communion wine ban ‘until further notice’ Bishop Reade said ‘the time had come to enter a new phase of infection control’.

He has also told priests in Blackburn Diocese’s 230 parishes, which covers most of Lancashire, that consecrated bread must be placed into the hands of worshippers, not into their mouths.

Only one other diocese in the country has banned communion wine and an expert said the bishop’s directive was ‘completely over the top’.

But an MP called it a “sensible” measure and a leading East Lancashire health boss also backed the move.

Bishop Reade said: “I have been advised that the time has now come to enter a new phase of infection control, especially around the administration of holy communion.”

He said that the way communion is served could be amended if necessary under the 1547 Sacrament Act, and that “the circumstances we find ourselves in mean that such a necessity is upon us”.

It means only presiding priests may drink wine poured during communion.

Bishop Reade’s intervention comes as East Lancashire health chiefs reiterate advice to control the spread of swine flu.

People with flu-like symptoms are being told to stay at home and contact their GP or NHS Direct.

There have been 55,000 swine flu cases in England and around 30 deaths. The Government is predicting that between 19,000 and 65,000 people in the UK could die from the virus this winter.

Officials have urged people not to panic, saying that seasonal flu can cause as many as 20,000 deaths during winter.

Blackburn with Darwen PCT has predicted the borough could see 300 new cases each day at worst, while the East Lancashire PCT has refused to give any estimates, It has, however, annouced the launch of ‘anti-viral collection centres’ at the Acorns health centre in Accrington, the Irwell health centre in Bacup and Burnley’s St Peter’s pharmacy.

Yesterday the Government revealed a national flu service would be launched later this week to relieve the pressure on the health service.

The phone and website service will be able to provide flu diagnosis and access to drugs without the need to go to GPs.

But despite the growing spread of the virus, Lancashire Telegraph health expert Dr Tom Smith criticised the move by the diocese, saying people with swine flu symptoms should not be in church anyway.

And he added: “This seems completely over the top to me.

“There is a lot of anxiety and panic about swine flu and it is getting ridiculous.

“It seems silly that he is asking priests to do this and yet expecting people to sit in church with people coughing and spluttering.”

The Bishop’s move was supported by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope.

He said: “I think the Bishop is to be commended on this. This is common sense and not a panic response at all.”

Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev John Goddard, said: “The Bishop has very carefully weighed up the matter and taken advice from NHS East Lancashire before taking a decision for the good of the congregation."

Dr Ellis Friedman, public health director at NHS East Lancashire, added: “Anything that helps contain the spread of swine flu is to be welcomed.”

He urged people to ‘catch’ coughs and sneezes in tissues and wash hands properly to control the spread of swine flu.