PARENTS are being warned to keep babies away from cigarette smoke after a recent increase in the number of cases of a chest infection.

Cases of bronchiolitis, which makes it difficult for children to breathe and can lead to hospitalisation, rose by 35 per cent between 2002 and 2005, figures show.

The warning comes just weeks after North West children's hospitals reported a rise in admissions of bronchiolitis cases, putting pressure on beds. That led to a three-year-old Blackburn boy being taken to Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital last month instead of the nearest ward, at Manchester Royal Children's Hospital.

Health experts today warned parents that children exposed to smoke were more likely to develop the infection, as this irritates the small bronchiole airways in the lungs that are inflamed through bronchiolitis.

Cases in East Lancashire have gone from 252 in 2002/03 to 341 in 2004/05 and, with it occurring mostly in winter and spring, a health boss today warned parents to do all they can to keep the infection at bay.

Mike Leaf, who is leading a public health drive against the infection for NHS primary care trusts in East Lancashire, said: "The best way for parents to help buck the trend in increasing numbers of bronchiolitis is to prevent the spread of viruses that can cause bronchiolitis by frequent hand washing.

"It may help to keep infants away from others who have colds or coughs. Infants who are exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to develop more severe bronchiolitis, compared to babies from smoke-free homes. Therefore, it's important to avoid exposing children to cigarette smoke".

The Health Protection, the Government body set up to manage infectious diseases, last month urged parents to help keep rising hospital admissions down. It said 25 in 1000 babies living in urban areas will need hospital treatment.

Jill Hodgson, a children's respiratory nurse specialist at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "It is an unpredictable disease so there are years when you get a lot of bronchiolitis cases and some years where you don't.

"Most babies will have got the virus which causes the infection by the age of two. The vast majority will have a cough and cold but it is babies with an underlying problem who are more likely to be seriously ill."

Early symptoms include those associated with a common cold such as stuffiness, runny nose and a mild cough but after a day or two this will be followed with a harsher cough and wheezing.

Severe cases will be marked by a rapid heartbeat and breathing, flaring of the nostrils, irritability, fatigue and poor appetite.

If the symptoms worsen quickly then the child's skin can turn blue.