A NORTH-EAST expert is to play a leading role in an international study of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

It is hoped the study will devise new guidelines to protect long-haul airline passengers from potentially fatal blood clots.

Dr Patrick Kesteven, a consultant haematologist at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, is on the scientific committee of the Wright Study.

The study, which will report to the World Health Organisation, is expected to take four years.

One of Dr Kesteven's tasks will be to coordinate efforts in the UK to establish how widespread DVT is.

The plan is to approach major employers and analyse records to see if there is a link between frequent flying and DVT.

Like the Wright brothers before them, the Wright Study almost failed to get off the ground, said Dr Kesteven.

"We could not get any funding, but the British government stepped in and now we have enough to make a start," he said.

"We want to know exactly what the risk is, who is most at risk and what we can do about it."

He urged higher risk travellers, including people over 50, or anyone who has been treated for cancer, to see their GP before going on a long flight.

People over 60 should consider being measured for good quality support stockings, while he recommended travel socks and in-flight exercises for everyone else.