HIGH street chemists facing an uncertain future because of controversial proposals are to be handed a lifeline, according to Health Secretary Alan Milburn.

A report from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) earlier this year recommended deregulating the industry - prompting fears that the death knell could be sounded for many pharmacies.

Chemists were furious at the prospect of an open market, allowing big supermarket chains to dispense prescriptions in a bid to bring greater competition and lower prices for consumers.

Independent traders from across the North-East condemned the proposals and were backed by the National Pharmaceutical Association, which feared the loss of vital facilities in poor and rural areas.

But Mr Milburn, MP for Darlington, insists that a balanced package of measures will be put in place when the Government decides on new legislation in the summer.

He told The Northern Echo: "The Government has made it clear that simple deregulation will not work.

"We want to find a way of allowing community pharmacists to fulfil not only their present vital and trusted roles, but a wider role in providing more services to NHS patients."

The Government had previously been warned that it would not be let off lightly if chemists were allowed to go the same way as post offices.

Mr Milburn stressed that the OFT's role in the matter had simply been advisory and that the Government was aware of the considerable concern the proposals attracted.

Three Darlington chemists held a private meeting with Mr Milburn on Friday, where they presented petitions containing hundreds of customers' sig- natures.

Mr Milburn said: "Pharmacists are not shopkeepers - they are trained clinicians.

"Local people, especially the elderly, need to be able to gain access to pharmacists which are as close to where they live as possible."

Supermarket chain Asda had launched its own petition backing the OFT recommendations.