IT was business as usual for pioneering North-East stem cell researchers today - 48 hours after MPs backed their controversial work.

Last month, it was confirmed that Dr Lyle Armstrong, working at the North-East England Stem Cell Institute, based at the International Centre for Life, in Newcastle, had become the first in Europe to create part-human, part-animal "hybrid" embryos.

On Monday night, after a long, heated and complex debate, MPs voted in favour of allowing Dr Armstrong and a rival team at London University to carry on with their work.

Last night, officials at Newcastle University revealed that Dr Armstrong's team has carried on producing part-human, part-animal hybrids as the debate has raged around them in recent weeks.

"Their work has continued," a spokeswoman for Newcastle University said. "They got their licence from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in January, which lasts for one year. They would have lost half a year's work if they had waited for the results of Monday's vote."

News about the hybrid embryos leaked out after Dr Armstrong gave details of his work to members of the Israeli parliament in early March.

The Ashington-born scientist told Israeli senators that the embryos were created by implanting DNA derived from human skin cells into eggs taken from cows' ovaries with virtually all their genetic material removed.

These hybrid embryos, which are being created to help scientists improve their understanding of how stem cells work, survived for up to three days in the laboratory. Scientists asked for permission to use animal eggs because human eggs are in short supply.

It is hoped that the research will help scientists develop new ways of treating conditions such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

The Centre for Life has organised a day of free activities in Newcastle's Times Square on Saturday to explain and promote the work of stem cell scientists. The Stem Cell Day will take place in the Geodesic Dome, between 10am and 4pm