Security guards have been placed at anti-viral collection points across South Staffordshire as a precaution against public panic during the swine flu outbreak.

The security staff have been brought in to turn away any member of the public attempting to get hold of the Tamiflu antiviral medication without a referral from a doctor, NHS Direct or the new pandemic flu service.

Meanwhile, a man who died in Worcestershire after having a tooth extracted was suffering from swine flu, it has emerged.

Andrew Bishop, 36, from Droitwich, is the first person in Worcestershire to die having tested positive for the virus.

At an inquest into his death, Worcester Coroner Geraint Williams recorded a verdict of natural causes, citing pneumonia and adult respiratory distress syndrome as the direct cause of death.

Mr Bishop also had swine flu and alcoholic cirrhosis, the coroner found.

Today a new £2.4m advert campaign for the Government’s National Pandemic Flu Service in England was being launched as researchers warned hospitals across England could face “massive” demand for intensive care beds because of swine flu.