IF the UK ever came under biological attack people in Worcestershire can feel safe in the knowledge that procedures are in place to protect them.

This was the message coming from the Health Protection Agency when it simulated treating an anthrax outbreak, staged at Worcester Rugby Club's Sixways ground.

"The risk of something like this happening is extremely low," said Dr Nigel Lightfoot, director of emergency response for the HPA.

"But the public and the media would expect us to have plans in place."

He was speaking at Exercise Hercules, which tested supplying antibiotics to a mass dispensing centre and treating up to 1,000 people days after exposure to anthrax.

Dr Lightfoot said the UK had a stockpile of antibiotics at sites throughout the country but successful treatment depended on early recognition of the disease.

While the exercise gave health officials the opportunity to see how procedures would play out, one thing that can't be simulated is panic.

However, Dr Lightfoot said it was likely that the British mentality would result in people helping each other. He said a recent study carried out by Greenwich University showed that, in the event of a disaster, people tended to behave responsibly.

The Sixways scenario saw the authorities dealing with a number of people developing symptoms following a cricket match at which a fine white mist was sprayed into a crowd from a fire extinguisher.

The exercise began on Thursday. It took the HPA just two hours from the time public messages had been sent out about the attack, to setting up the centre and taking delivery of the antibiotics.

Then, on Friday, around 450 people took part in the scenario. Of that, 200 volunteers - mainly health workers - went through the centre five times, each time with a different script and health status.

As a nurse with the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, Jacqui Bright, of Warndon Villages, Worcester, could find herself on the frontline if there was ever a biological attack in this area.

The 50-year-old took on two roles, one working in triage and the other dispensing antibiotics.

"I found it really interesting because if there was ever a disaster, from this event we can pick up things like how the programme would work," she said.

Dr Sue Ibbotson, HPA West Midlands regional director, said the first confirmed anthrax case would trigger a response. "If we get antibiotics out to the population we will save a significant number of lives," she said.

DON'T FORGET THE ANTIBIOTICS

THERE are two main forms of anthrax infection. In cutaneous (skin) anthrax, a lesion appears on the skin. It develops to look like an ulcer with a black centre. If untreated the infection can be fatal in five per cent of cases.

Inhalation anthrax symptoms begin with flu-like illness followed by breathing difficulties. It is serious and can often be fatal but can also be treated effectively with antibiotics.