MOTORISTS passing the cattle market could have been forgiven for thinking Worcester was under chemical attack.

Firefighters dressed in special protective suits could be seen hosing down the area and each other this week. The suits were all part of an exercise by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

The brigade used the Nunnery Way site to practise its response to a chemical attack on Worcester.

Dressed in special protective clothing, the 60 firefighters tested out specialist equipment and how best to use it if they were to be faced with such an emergency situation.

This included portable shower units carried on incident response vehicles that could be used to decontaminate up to 400 people an hour.

Alec Mackie, from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said these practice exercises had to be carried out from time to time to test firefighters' responses to emergency situations.

"It went very well," he added.

"All the staff find they learn something new at each of these events.

"Staff come and go and we have to make sure that they are always trained to the highest standards.

"In this case, it was not just learning how to ensure the public were safe, but also our own staff."