A LARGE-scale evacuation of Worcester City Centre in the event of a major emergency is one of the pointers in a new emergency planning directive for the city.

The Cathedral, Alice Ottley and The Royal Grammar schools in Worcester, have all been identified as rest centres where evacuees unable to get home could find themselves directed to in such an incident.

The directive also includes using police and parking wardens to communicate incident-related information, as well as use of the police helicopter and its Skyshout public address system to back up local radio stations and the city council's website as prime information sources.

Released this week and supported by organisations including Worcester City Council, emergency services, city centre organisations and Worcestershire County Council's Emergency Planning Unit, the directive lays down a comprehensive plan of action to be followed in the event of a major emergency.

The publication also includes a range of vital individual and corporate precautionary measures as well as a Worcester map and a list of useful publications and website links.

The city council's chief executive David Wareing said that its overall aim was to enable the city to respond to a major emergency while continuing to deliver usual services.

"Given the complexity of modern-day society and the uncertain world we live in, it's vital that we as a city are prepared and have the arrangements in place that we need to deal with the impact of potentially-disruptive incidents and events," he said.

"Its purpose is to enable a quick and comprehensive response in the event of a major emergency affecting the inner city area."

It's a view equally shared by West Mercia's Ch Insp Alan Baldwin who's responsible for city centre policing.

"We all need to be aware of the potential for an evacuation of our city centre and such incidents, whether major fires, acts of terrorism or even a building collapsing, demonstrate the need for clear and concise information for people to act on," he said.

"Awareness and familiarisation of this plan can and will help you if the need to evacuate the city arises."

According to the plan, the fire and rescue service, together with the county's ambulance service, assumes responsibility for mass decontamination of the public in the unlikely event of a chemical, biological or radiological incident.

Their responsibilities also extend to salvage and damage control, provision of specialist equipment, and safety management within the inner cordon - described as the area from Edgar Street to St Mary's Street.

Worcester City Centre Emergency Response and Evacuation Guidance is available from the Emergency Planning Co-ordinator at the Guildhall by calling 01905 722203, or the Emergency Planning Unit at County Hall by calling 01905 766176.

So just how many people would have to be evacuated in the event of an emergency?

The directive identifies:

Approximately 1,000 residents living within the city centre area

Working population in the city centre in excess of 8,000

Shoppers average 18-25,000 per day increasing to 45,000 in the pre-Christmas run-up

Night-time users average 4-5,000 with an increase to 10-12,000 at the end of the week and during weekends

More than 1,200 businesses ranging from small retail outlets to major stores.