The North-east is at risk of an outbreak of potentially-fatal measles. The warning comes after the number of children in the region getting the controversial MMR jab hit an all-time low.

Between January and March this year, 88.2% of children received the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) jab.

That compared to 93.8% in the same period last year.

The recommended level needed to prevent a measles outbreak is 95%.

The drop follows growing concerns over possible links between MMR and autism and bowel problems.

Dr Arun Mukerjee, NHS Grampian's immunisation co-ordinator, said: "I'm extremely worried about it. I can't understand why it should have gone down in Grampian.

"While the national rate appears to be going up, our rate appears to be going down.

"I think we'll have to take it very, very seriously.

"As far as I know it's the lowest uptake rate in Grampian ever.

"We've always had well over 90% and we've always felt safe."

The Scottish average for MMR uptake in the first three months of 2002 was 87.6%.

The lowest in that period was the Western Isles with 77%.

The highest was in Orkney with 97.4%.

Low uptake puts not only the children who have not had the jab at risk, but also those below the age at which it's given.

It was four years ago when concerns over a possible link between MMR and autism were first raised by Dr Andrew Wakefield who was working at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

Dr Mukerjee said since then further research has been carried out across the world which had found no evidence of a link between MMR and autism.

He said work is already under way in the North-east to address the drop in the number of children having the jab.

Health chiefs are contacting GPs, health visitors and other health professionals to make sure parents are informed.

"Parents must be helped to make the right choice," he said. "I'm not saying we would force anyone. We can't do that and we have no right to do that.

"But I think we have a duty to give the proper and right information."

He stressed while parents have a choice over MMR, it remains a fact that if the number of children having MMR drops, the chances of measles, which can be fatal, increases.

"As long as the immunisation rate is 90% or above we are reasonably sure there won't be a case of measles but if it falls below 90% as it is now, well we are nearing the edge."

And he warned: "It spreads like wildfire.

"It only takes one case of measles in the community and 80% of unimmunised children will get it within the next couple of weeks."

He said as well as being potentially fatal, measles can cause meningitis, bowel diseases, paralysis and inflammation of the brain.

Babies usually get the combined MMR jab after their first birthday.

Dr Mukerjee said if it was his child, he would go for MMR.

He said one of the problems is that the age at which babies are given the MMR jab coincides with the age that signs of autism usually first appear.