The spectre of pandemic 'flu may have disappeared from the headlines in recent months, but Lincolnshire emergency planners say it is still their top priority.

While economists fret about tumbling stockmarkets, the county's planners say they remain primed to deal with an outbreak of the 'flu.

No vaccine exists that would make people immune, but national stockpiles of anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu do exist that would limit the impact for those who are hit.

These Government stocks are aimed primarily at public sector staff such as nurses.

But emergency planners say there is growing evidence that businesses are stockpiling Tamiflu – despite government warnings that they should not.

Jamie Tomlin, a member of the emergency planning unit at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "I have heard of various banking organisations that have adopted this policy.

"They are giving staff the anti-virals such as Tamiflu, but these must be taken within 48 hours of symptoms.

"If they take it incorrectly, it's completely wasted."

Pandemic flu is a more severe strain of the ordinary flu that causes widespread illness every winter.

Schools would close, public gatherings would be cancelled and as many as 175,000 people in the county would fall ill.

Mr Tomlin said detailed plans are in place that would be put into action in the event of a pandemic emergency.

For more on the county's plans, see Saturday's Echo.