The number of people suffering from flu like illnesses in Wales has doubled over Christmas and the New Year.

But the figures, released by the Government's public health laboratories, do not amount to an "epidemic" of cases as yet, according to one expert.

Professor Ron Eccles, who runs Cardiff's Common Cold Research Centre, says part of the blame for the increase may lie with the Millenium stadium.

The venue has hosted two major events over the holiday, bringing more than a hundred thousand people together, complete with assorted viruses.

'No epidemic'

Professor Eccles expects cases to peak in the next week, as children return to school and workers go back to offices and factories.

But he emphasised that the increase is still well within normal guidelines for this time of year - there is not an epidemic at the moment.

Doctors surgeries and hospitals have been filling up with patients seeking treatment for viral infections.