THERE were 14 East Lancashire patients admitted to hospital for eating disorders last year, compared to 10 in 2011/12.

The figures, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), mirror a national increase in these cases.

Kingsley Manning, HSCIC chairman, said: “Today’s report shows a national increase in the demand placed on hospitals by patients with an eating disorder.

“Hospitals not only dealt with more patients with an eating disorder than last year but compared to other admission types patients with these disorders tend to stay longer in hospital, which will be of significant interest to staff caring for these patients and and those planning services.”