THE number of suspected measles cases in the region was on the increase last night, as a political row over the MMR vaccine intensified.

Three more suspected cases have been reported on Teesside, only days after four possible outbreaks were revealed in Gateshead.

The latest cases, in the North Tees area, involve three children of pre-school and primary school age and are not believed to be part of a cluster, according to Dr Ian Holtby, consultant in communicable disease control at Tees Health Authority.

"We are seeing a bit of a surge in suspected measles cases," said Dr Holtby.

Direct Health 2000, which is running private single vaccine sessions in Darlington later this month, said the number of children booked for jabs was more than 1,200, and rising.

The number of confirmed measles cases rose to 11 in South Lambeth, London, sparking fears of a large-scale outbreak.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tony Blair moved to quell concern over a link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

He insisted Government advice that the triple vaccine was safer than single jabs was backed by health chiefs around the world.

But Shadow Health Secretary Dr Liam Fox said ministers bore much of the responsibility for a crisis in public confidence in the MMR jab, which had caused take-up rates to drop to perilous levels.

South Lambeth, which has one of the lowest immunisation rates in the country, also has 18 suspected cases, while two other suspected cases in Lambeth tested negative.

The total of suspected and confirmed cases nationally has reached 36.

The news will fuel fears of a large-scale outbreak of the disease, which can prove fatal, as record numbers of parents shun the triple vaccine.

Public Health Laboratory Service figures show that UK-wide take-up of the MMR jab plummeted to a record low between July and September last year, at 84.2 per cent.

Downing Street denied Mr Blair had ordered a review of the costs of offering single vaccinations as an alternative to the triple jab