A nice email was waiting for me tonight from Tyne Tees Television news reader Pam Royle who has spent the last week in bed with suspected swine flu.

It was The Northern Echo which broke the news that Pam had been told to stay in isolation after falling ill while on holiday abroad.

Pam says: "I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the number of very kind readers who've contacted me by letter, email, text and telephone to wish me well."

She goes on to urge people with flu-like symptoms not to panic, stay at home and contact the swine flu helpline or a GP by phone.

Pam says she now feels well enough to go back to work - and it will be good to have her back on our screens.