Tuberculosis (TB) is spreading in Leicester because sufferers are too scared to come forward and report the disease.

Leicester has one of the highest rates of the illness in the UK - about four times higher than the national average.

Dr Mike Barer, a clinical microbiologist at the University of Leicester, says some members of the Asian community are unwilling to report the disease.

According to recent figures, Leicester has 50 cases of TB per 100,000 compared to 12.5 cases nationally.

College outbreak

Dr Barer said: "People from the Indian subcontinent suffer a great stigma if their family is known to have TB - because they believe it is inherited.

"Other parts of Britain also have high rates but Leicester is one of the hotspots.

"We need to make it easier for people to come forward and be treated for the disease."

Other TB hotspots include some areas of London.

In 2001, 20 children were admitted to hospital in Leicester suffering with TB after an outbreak at Crown Hills Community College.

Dr Barer said one reason for the high incidence in Leicester is the arrival of people in the city who are infected after travelling abroad.