MPS have expressed concern to Health Minister John Reid after it was revealed East Lancashire's hospitals boss has been off sick for more than six months.

John Thomas, the chief executive of the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, has been away from his desk since December 8.

Rossendale and Darwen's Janet Anderson, and Burnley's Peter Pike, are concerned that this may be affecting the performance of the Trust.

The worry is particularly acute as the Trust is in charge of two major redevelopment projects in Blackburn and Burnley.

Mr Thomas had been at the centre of attempts to tackle a £6.1million budget deficit following the merger of the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust, which he was previously in charge of, with its Burnley counterpart.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is the health trust which runs the area's main hospitals, including Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Burnley General Hospital and Queens Park Hospital.

At the end of its first year, it was £6.1million in debt.

The £100million Single Site Project will see the merger of BRI and Queens Park Hospital at the latter's Haslingden Road site.

This site will include 11 theatres, a day case unit, 668 beds and an A&E department to cater for 70,000 attendances a year. It is due for completion in July 2006.

The £30million Phase Five Project will extend Burnley General Hospital and is due to be completed in June 2006. There will be 170 beds, including an acute rehabilitation suite.

Mrs Anderson said: "I know people in the NHS in East Lancashire are concerned about his prolonged absence.

"It is creating a vacuum at the top of health care in the area, no matter how hard his deputy tries to perform.

"Obviously we all hope he recovers and takes up the job again, but we do need to know what is happening and when he will return."

Mr Pike said: "Obviously the health of Mr Thomas is a private matter, but we need to know what the long-term position is."

Christine Kirk, chairman of the Trust, said: "He, like everyone, is entitled to confidentiality regarding his personal health."

Acting chief executive Richard Gildert was appointed in January.