EMERGENCY services reacted swiftly when a suspicious powder was found smeared over a Redditch letterbox on Monday, writes Becky Procter.

Police sealed off part of Far Moor Lane in Winyates Green at about 9am, 25 firefighters were drafted in and two ambulances were called to protect crews.

Residents living near the postbox on the corner of Abbotswood Close were told to close their windows and stay indoors and the road was closed for nearly three hours.

Thoughts turned to a rising number of cases in America of letters containing spores of the deadly anthrax disease.

A sample of the white substance was taken to the county scientific analyst in Worcester.

Shortly before 11.30am, the analyst confirmed the powder was flour.

Four pumps, one support unit and an environmental protection unit attended the scene, including a hazardous material officer.