Apple could be set to introduce the iPad to the UK market later this month, it has been reported.

According to IT Pro Portal, April 24th is rumoured to be the launch date for both the UK and Canada, with US consumers already able to purchase the eagerly-awaited device.

The site reports that the date has been earmarked by the company's board as a "black out day", meaning no staff holiday requests are to be authorised.

Apple employees will only be allowed to stay off work if they are genuinely ill - suggesting that the firm is expecting a busy day.

It has been suggested that O2 and Orange are likely carriers for the tablet, with both ISPs having recently placed new orders for micro SIMS.

Rival broadband provider Vodafone is giving little away about its own intentions, however 3UK appears to have ruled itself out of the running to offer iPad mobile broadband services.