THE East Lancashire economy could grind to a halt if the 'moderately high chance' of a flu pandemic becomes reality, doctors have warned.

Under a 'worst case scenario' outlined in a new report, only essential services would be available for up to six weeks at the height of a pandemic, possibly caused by bird flu spreading to humans.

Business leaders today said they were getting ready to deal with any pandemic. And they warned firms to start taking steps to prepare for the worst.

Valerie Miles, policy manager at the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Every company should have risk contingency plans and disaster recovery plans."

Measures are also being put in place by health bosses to ensure the effects of any pandemic are minimised, including training health staff to administer anti-viral drugs, plans for securing and distributing drugs.

Last year Dr Steven Gee, of the Health Protection Agency in Lancashire and Cumbria, said there were real concerns avian flu would mutate and trigger the outbreak.

He estimated 250,000 in East Lancashire would be infected, with around 500 deaths.

Dr Ellis Friedman, director of public health for Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT, said: "A few times each century a major mutation of flu occurs which has the potential to cause a major pandemic.

"There is a moderately high chance that such a mutation will occur.

"There is the potential for the most profound effect on the economy and health services. At the height of this pandemic, only essential services might be available."

Mike Leaf, director of public health at Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley primary care trusts, added: "We have been reviewing all our critical functions to make sure we can move staff around and continue providing the service we need to."

Chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Phil Watson, said employees had taken part in an exercise planning for a pandemic.