GLOBE readers are being asked to play their part to help keep antibiotics working as part of a new campaign.

As part of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, which ends on Thursday (November 24), residents are being asked to return any unused antibiotics to their local community pharmacy, where they can be safely disposed of. 

Unused or unwanted antibiotics should not be kept for another time or shared with other people, as this can cause sickness and increase the risk of bugs becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Wirral's director of public health, Dave Bradburn, said: "Antibiotics are really important tools that help us fight off bacterial infections. But taking them incorrectly can lead to bugs and germs learning how to protect themselves from being killed, developing 'resistance'.

"Many infections are caused by viruses, so antibiotics are not effective. If you do require antibiotics it is really important not to share them with other people. Finishing the course and taking antibiotics as prescribed is also very important.

"During World Antimicrobial Awareness Week I would like to invite Wirral residents to take simple steps to preserve antibiotics for the future by returning unused antibiotics to their local pharmacy where they will be safely disposed of.

"We all need to do our bit to keep antibiotics working.

"Putting antibiotics in the bin or flushing them down the toilet can contaminate the environment, which may lead to more resistant bugs in the environment and harm human and animal health.

"Everyone needs to play their part in preserving antibiotics for the future, so taking this simple step will help protect antibiotics for everyone."

Residents are also encouraged to sign up to pledge to become an Antibiotic Guardian which can be found on the Antibiotic Guardian website

For more information, visit the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week website or email healthprotectionservice@wirral.gov.uk