A DOOMSDAY scenario of overflowing hospital mortuaries and economic paralysis could happen in the region, unless we are ready for a potential flu pandemic.

Not since the height of the Cold War have such detailed contingency plans been drawn up to put the North-East on an emergency footing.

The plans are a response to the threat of a potentially devastating flu pandemic, which could hit one in four of the region's population and kill thousands.

While health bosses stress that such a pandemic may never happen, hospitals and health centres are being put on heightened alert.

In a worst case scenario, measures that could be put in place until any outbreak is brought under control include:

* infected patients could be quarantined;

* members of the public could be asked to stay at home;

* travel could be restricted;

* large public gatherings such as football matches and pop concerts could be banned.

Dr David Walker, the acting director of public health for the North-East, is working with the public and private sectors to ensure that in the event of a pandemic, essential services can continue to function.

Hospital bosses have been advised that they may have to find extra mortuary space to house victims of flu, as well as ordering extra body bags. Family doctors in the region are being issued with updated information packs giving information about who should have priority access to antiviral drugs.

Representatives from the NHS, emergency services, social services and local authorities have already been involved in exercises simulating a pandemic outbreak.

Private businesses have also been asked to draw up plans to enable them to cope with the loss of large numbers of staff due to illness or because employees are caring for members of their families. There have also been fears that the poultry industry across the region could be damaged.

"We need to do all we can to keep the economy going during such a period and to maintain health and education services," said Dr Walker.

Andy Sugden, director of policy for the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: "Businesses need to draw up contingency plans.

"Apart from the direct impact on staff, what about people caring for relatives who are ill? How are you going to cope with a depleted workforce?"