LIMITED supplies of Tamiflu - the anti-flu pill which might contain the spread of a pandemic outbreak - are ready for use in the North-East.

It is the first time health officials have confirmed that the anti-flu pills are available in the region.

However, it has been stressed that the quantities of Tamiflu are limited and they are only for emergency use at this stage.

The UK is gearing itself up to meet the challenge of a world flu epidemic that could kill thousands of Britons.

The Government expects to have 14 million doses of Tamiflu available by the end of the year for the whole of the country.

Dr John Woodhouse, acting regional director of the Health Protection Agency, confirmed yesterday that emergency stocks were now being held in the region.

"It is thought Tamiflu may reduce the severity of the symptoms," said Dr Woodhouse.

"In theory, it could also be used to try to snuff out a small outbreak of flu to prevent a pandemic spreading."

There has been speculation about who would be given Tamiflu if the predicted pandemic flu outbreak hits the UK.

One suggestion is that key health workers could be given the pill, which has been shown to reduce the effects of conventional flu.

If a pandemic breaks out, either because a strain of bird flu merges with an existing flu strain or an entirely new strain develops, it is thought that up to 50,000 people could die in the UK.

Until the outbreak begins and scientists can identify the precise strain of virus involved it will be impossible to vaccinate anyone against the new type of flu.

Even then, it is expected to take at least four months before a new vaccine is ready.