SCIENTISTS pioneering stem cell research in the North-East paid tribute to Superman actor Christopher Reeve last night and vowed to make his dream come true.

Praising the star, who lobbied for medical research after being paralysed in a riding accident nine years ago, experts said treatments could be tested within five to ten years.

Reeve died aged 53 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his New York home.

The North-East has become a world centre for stem cell research after being given a licence to use the controversial technology earlier this year.

Dr Miodrag Stojkovic, principle researcher at Newcastle's Centre for Life said last night: "We are extremely saddened because the world has lost not only an excellent actor, but also one of the leading figures who encouraged debate on human embryonic stem cell research.

"We will miss his contribution especially where mediation of scientific progress to the public is needed, but we hope that we will go on where his dream stopped. "

Dr Stojkovic said tests carried out in the US on rats with damaged nerves had shown their condition had improved after stem cell treatment.

He said: "If it is possible in animals then the potential is there for humans. The next step will be to carry out clinical trials on pigs. We would hope to carry out test on humans in five to ten years."

The actor set up the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation in 1996 to champion the development of treatments for paralysis.

Professor Colin Blakemore, chief executive of the Medical Research Council, said Reeve was a ''remarkable man''.

He said: ''Christopher Reeve was known to all of us for his campaigning and for his courage.

''It takes extraordinary individuals like Reeve to recognise that investment and effort is worthwhile in the long run to work for others."

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