AMBULANCE bosses in Hereford and Worcester have ordered 50 chemical protection suits as part of preparations for a terrorist attack.

Details emerged as the Government announced plans to simulate a "catastrophic incident" over the next few weeks.

The chemical suits ordered by the ambulance trust will allow health workers to safely treat members of the public in the event of an attack using smallpox or a "dirty bomb".

In the West Midlands, 105 suits have already been delivered and paramedics have been fully trained in their use.

Steve Evans, PR manager for the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said the Government-funded scheme is nothing for the public to worry about.

"Ambulance services throughout the country will have disaster plans because of the current situation.

I think the public should by happy to know we are ready," said Mr Evans.

He added that it was about the fact that all arrangements in place for a potential conflict.

Negotiations are taking place with local NHS trusts on the best way of establishing "decontamination facilities".

In a written Ministerial statement, Mr Blunkett unveiled plans to test whether Britain is prepared for a terrorist attack.

He will test all the central London emergency services on their reaction to mass evacuations and decontaminations.

The exact nature of the exercise has not been revealed, but it is likely to be based on the scenario of a dirty bomb strike on the capital or a biological attack, such as smallpox.

Other exercises are planned to test Britain's ability to withstand attacks on flood defences and the national gas supply, Mr Blunkett said.

"Under this new programme of co-ordinated exercises, it will be possible to test whether all key stakeholders are engaged and working together," said the Home Secretary.

"Future planned exercises will cover a catastrophic incident in central London with disruption to the national gas supply and flood defences."

In his statement, Mr Blunkett also revealed more detail of the new military Civil Contingency Reaction Forces, or CCRFs.

By the end of the year, 14 forces will be in place comprising up to 500 volunteers drawn from existing reservists.

Mr Blunkett confirmed that in the event of a terrorist strike, deployment of the military, including reserves, would be "at the request of the chief constable in the force area where the incident occurred" and soldiers would work closely with the emergency services.