Bird flu grave pits.

MASS burials are being considered by the Home Office as part of preparations for a possible avian flu pandemic, it was reported yesterday.

A "prudent worst case" assessment suggested 320,000 could die in the UK if the H5N1 virus mutated into a form contagious to humans, according to a confidential report seen by the Sunday Times.

That would lead to delays of up to 17 weeks in burying or cremating victims, the document, said to have been discussed by a cabinet committee, says.

It warns that the prospect of "common burial" would stir up images of themass pits used to bury victims of the Great Plague in 1665.