STEM cell pioneers from the region will answer questions from the public next month.

The North-East is poised to become the leading world centre for controversial stem cell research after a licence was granted last month.

Now, two scientists will talk about their work and take part in a question and answer session.

Professor Alison Murdoch and Dr Miodrag Stojkovic have been given permission to create stem cells from unfertilised human eggs.

The scientists, from the Centre for Life, in Newcastle, hope the work will lead to treatments for diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes in as little as five years.

But pro-life campaigners have criticised the decision, accusing scientists of trivialising human life.

The two scientists will deliver a lecture, Stem Cells -Miracle Cure or Moral Minefield?, at the Centre for Life on October 4.

The early evening event is the first in a series of lectures at the centre.

On Thursday, October 21, scientist and broadcaster Baroness Susan Greenfield will discuss the prospect of a world free of pain and disease, where we can manipulate our bodies with machinery, our moods with "smart drugs" and our bodies with gene therapy.

The third lecture, on Thursday, November 18, will focus on the latest discoveries about ageing and will be given by Professor Tom Kirkwood.

All lectures are from 6pm to 7.30pm. Seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis.