A PRESTON man is planning to set up home in the Chinese province worst hit by a killer virus, despite national warnings from the Department of Health for people not to travel.

Matt Horn, 37, of Victoria Parade, Ashton, will be going to southern China later this month to be with wife Alison Roberts, a language teacher working for the University of Central Lancashire.

The deadly pneumonia virus -- severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) -- started in Guangdong where Matt will be flying to on Wednesday, April 30.

It has already claimed the lives of scores of people worldwide and thousands have been affected.

Symptoms include a fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Across the globe new cases are springing up daily.

Despite offers of a ticket home from the Preston university, Alison, who has been teaching English at a university since February, has opted to stay put.

Now Matt, a sports journalist with The Citizen's sister newspaper, The Lancashire Evening Telegraph, will join his wife in the Sars-hit country.

Matt said: "There are signs up in the university asking people to leave windows and doors open. Alison has been given a surgical mask and she is being sensible, avoiding crowded places like shopping centres and washing her hands regularly."

The couple travelled the world together three years ago and fell in love with Asia. Earlier this year they spent two weeks in China where they are both keen to stay for sometime.

Matt said: "If either of us become ill then we would seek advice. I think there is more chance of getting hit by a bus in Lancashire though!

"I haven't been told not to travel and I'm looking forward to seeing my wife and starting a new life. I hope to do some writing and maybe teach journalism."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "The UK public is strongly advised not to travel to these areas.

"This advice is being reviewed daily and this travel warning may be extended to other countries later."