THE world's biggest survey into the genetic roots of heart disease arrives in the region today - with a plea for North-East families to get involved.

For the past two months, a bus carrying a team from the British Heart Foundation has been touring the UK.

Experts have taken details from families affected by heart disease before retirement age, with the aim of identifying which gene is responsible.

Today, the bus is in Teesside. Tomorrow, it will be in Newcastle - when it will be joined by veteran DJ Jimmy Savile, a former heart patient who is backing the scheme.

Professor Alistair Hall, joint leader of the study, said in an area with high heart disease rates such as the North-East it was important for people to come forward.

"So far we have had about 12,000 phone calls from people, but we need a lot more," he said.

The team, from Leeds and Leicester universities, is keen to hear from families where at least two brothers or sisters have had heart attacks before the age of 65.

The roadshow will be open from 9am to 11.30am at North Tees General Hospital, in Stockton. Between 11.30am and 3pm, it will be at Sainsbury's supermarket, in Wilson Street, Middlesbrough.

On Wednesday, it will be at the International Centre for Life, near Newcastle Central Station, between 9am and 3pm.