CONCERNS have been expressed by Eastleigh MP David Chidgey over information released as part of the local investigation into Creuzfeldt-Jakob Disease (variant CJD).

As revealed in the Daily Echo this week, researchers discovered two victims of the disease in Eastleigh both had a polio vaccination from the same batch when they were children.

But Dr Mike Barker, consultant of communicable diseases, who is heading the local research, said there was no cause for concern as the national office had ruled out a link between the vaccination and variant CJD.

A further three cases in Southampton are also being included in the study, the results of which are likely to be made public in February.

Mr Chidgey said: "I am concerned to find that two local variant CJD sufferers were given the same batch of polio vaccine, which was later withdrawn because it had been manufactured using serum from British calves.

"I have contacted the Southampton team and they have reassured me that the vaccine was withdrawn as a precautionary measure, and that there is no reason to believe that any vaccine carries a risk of variant CJD.

"It is vital that the report on the local investigation into variant CJD is completed on time to reassure my constituents. The report is planned to be released in February and clearly any delay would be unacceptable."

Student Kate Richer, 22, from the Isle of Wight, died in March after being diagnosed with the disease in July last year.

Keen footballer Steve Babey, of Loughwood Close, Eastleigh, a student at Barton Peveril College, died in May, just five months after being diagnosed with CJD, and Pamela Beyless, who lived in Hedge End, died in 1998 just two days after her 24th birthday.