Health bosses have confirmed four new cases of swine flu in Bristol.

The further cases of the H1N1 virus bring the total number in the city to 14, all but two of them centred around Bristol University.

A further four students at Bristol University were confirmed as having swine flu yesterday, according to the university's website.

It follows confirmation that a father and his 11-month-old son had the strain last week.

The man, who has not been named, is believed to have recently returned to Bristol from overseas travel.

The first case at Bristol University was announced last Wednesday, followed by another seven cases on Friday.

About 23,000 emails were sent to all staff and students last week highlighting the risks of swine flu and explaining about the necessary precautions. Close contacts of the affected students are being informed, given antiviral drugs and warned to check for symptoms.

A spokesman for the university said: "Information and advice was issued to all students and staff of the university on June 17 and 19.

"In particular, everyone has been directed to the online questions and answers about swine flu.

"The university remains open and business is continuing as normal."

The number of confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK had reached 2,773 by yesterday afternoon.

The Bristol area had remained relatively untouched by the swine flu outbreak until last week.

There were two confirmed cases in early May. The first was a year 7 pupil at Downend School who came down with the virus after returning from a holiday in Mexico.

Then Barry Greatorex, of Chipping Sodbury, was confirmed as having swine flu and was believed to be the first case where H1N1 was contracted in England, after he caught the virus from a colleague who had recently returned from a trip to Mexico.

People are reminded to follow good basic hygiene to minimise the spread of the virus.

Health experts advise coughing and sneezing into tissues, disposing of them as soon as possible, washing hands frequently with soap and water to kill germs and cleaning hard surfaces.

If someone suspects they have the virus they should either phone their GP for advice or contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.