Cyprus said yesterday it would cull free roaming poultry following reports of two suspected avian influenza cases in birds in the north of the island.

Four people have died this month of the H5N1 virus in neighbouring Turkey, fanning fears that avian influenza is advancing towards Europe from Asia.

Authorities in the south of divided Cyprus, which represents the island in the European Union, tightened border controls at checkpoints hours after officials in the Turkish Cypriot north said the deaths of two birds were suspect.

Turkish Cypriot authorities on Monday said preliminary tests proved positive for a form of bird flu, but further tests were required to define if it was the deadly H5N1 virus.

The European Commission said it was informed and said it was waiting for results.

"The European Commission was informed last night by the Cyprus authorities of suspected cases of avian influenza in the northern part of Cyprus," said Philip Tod, the European Commission's spokesman on health and consumer protection.

"Tests are ongoing to determine the strain and pathogenicity of the suspected virus. Samples are being sent to Ankara and the Community reference laboratory in Weybridge and we expect results in the coming days," he said.

Authorities in the south of the island said there was no question of shutting checkpoints between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides of Cyprus, partitioned since 1974. George Neophytou, head of the veterinary department, told Reuters:

"Today we will start the culling of backyard hens which are not confined. We issued cautions last week." Witnesses at one checkpoint in the capital Nicosia, where thousands of people cross daily, saw health services spraying vehicles with disinfectant.

The village where the outbreak occurred was close to the border with the Greek Cypriot area of Cyprus, and a British military base.