The number of people in Leicestershire contracting tuberculosis (TB) is continuing to rise.

More than 240 people have been identified as having the disease so far this year.

Leicester has one of the highest TB rates in the country, four times above the national average.

But Leicester Health Authority says its system of screening and treatment are working well.

The doctors and nurses have taken excellent care of me

Punit Naker, patient

It is thought about 260 people in the county will have contracted TB by the end of this year.

This is 24 cases more than last year, a rise of more than 10%.

Medical experts are worried the familiar BCG vaccine is becoming less effective, particularly in adults.

But Leicestershire Health Authority believes a good programme which can screen and treat TB is more useful than any vaccine.

It also says the rise is roughly in line with national averages.

Highly infectious

Punit Naker, 18, caught TB earlier this year and is full of praise for the current practices at the city's Glenfield Hospital.

He said: "They have been very helpful and everyone has been very nice.

"The doctors and nurses have taken excellent care of me and the hospital and equipment are clean and new."

The hospital has already increased the number of trained TB control nurses and specialists.

It is now considering introducing new equipment which can help detect the disease more quickly.

This comes as a new report suggests accident and emergency units often miss the early signs of highly infectious TB.