Deaths caused by the superbugs MRSA and Clostridium difficile have soared in the West Midlands, figures reveal.

Government data obtained by the Liberal Democrats shows MRSA was listed as being the underlying cause of six deaths in 1993, rising to 44 in 2005.

And deaths from C.Diff went up from 42 in 1999 to 287 in 2005.

Across England and Wales, MRSA deaths rose from 15 to 467 and C.Diff deaths from 531 to 2,074, during the same periods.

The South East and South West regions were particularly badly affected.

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust is currently spending £3 million on measures to combat both infections.

Figures presented to the Trust board last month showed that the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal hospitals have the lowest C.Diff rates in 2006. The highest rate was at the University Hospital North Staffordshire.

Lib Dem shadow health secretary Norman Lamb, said: “These startling figures show just how far there is to go in tackling deaths where MRSA and C Difficile are involved.

“The regional variations may suggest a disturbing link between financial crises over the past few years and deaths from superbugs.”

The Government has since introduced an anti-infection strategy to tackle the spread of hospital-acquired infections.

Moves include bringing in infection control systems.