AN inquiry was under way last night after a fridge breakdown put £1m worth of vital drugs at risk at a North hospital.

Newcastle Hospital Trust bosses have launched the inquiry to find out how the incident happened at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle.

They have also suspended a member of staff until the inquiry team makes its report.

Staff are examining the specialist blood products, which should have lasted nearly two months, to check the extent of the damage.

A statement from the trust said: "A breakdown in the temperature control mechanisms of a cold store in the Royal Victoria Infirmary accommodating specialist blood products has put at risk stock held and valued in the region of £1m.

"Overall consumption of these products is expected to reach £7m per annum and the stock in question is being tested to ascertain whether or not it has been adversely affected.

"A board-level inquiry is under way to fully ascertain the circumstances that led to this failure, and a member of staff has been suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry."

Trust bosses were not revealing yesterday what the drugs were used for, which department they were stored in or how the mistake was discovered.

In its code of ethics and standards, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society guidelines say: "Refrigerators used for pharmaceutical stock must be capable of storing products between 2C and 8C.

"They should also be equipped with a thermometer which is checked on each day."

A spokesman for Northumberland Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority, which oversees local health trusts, said: "The trust have informed us of the situation. We are aware it is an issue."