HE'S used to having safe hands on the rugby pitch, but Widnes Vikings player John Stankevitch now knows the importance of safe hands at Halton General Hospital.

John joined eight-year-old Vikings fanatic Callum Parkinson from Runcorn and Clinical Nurse Specialist in Infection Control Margaret Gunby to help reinforce the Cleanyourhands campaign.

Since the start of June, the North Cheshire Hospitals Trust's infection control measures have been strengthened by a series of high-profile posters and badges encouraging everybody to make sure their hands are spotlessly clean.

Patients are also encouraged to take a direct role in their care by asking staff if they have washed their hands.

Anna Alexander, the trust's deputy director of nursing, thanked the players for helping the battle to beat the bugs.

She said: 'We have had a tremendous response from staff, patients and the public to Cleanyourhands, with hand hygiene having a very high profile at our Warrington and Halton sites.

'It is great to see John come in to lend his support to what we are doing. I know Callum was delighted to meet one of his heroes.

'It just shows hand hygiene and infection control is a matter for everyone. The latest figures confirm infection rates are down which is the result of the stringent measures we already have in place.'

John added: 'Superbugs and infection control has been in the news lately, so it is good to see Halton General Hospital taking steps to stamp it out..'