HEALTH bosses in the North West have told people to carry on as normal amid the threats of chemical or biological attacks against the UK.

As tension mounts following the terrorist strikes on America two weeks ago, fears are growing that chemical warfare may be used in the UK.

Britain's security forces are on high alert to detect such a threat, and in America the FBI this week grounded crop-spraying aircraft to prevent any such attacks.

Professor John Ashton, North West regional director of public health, assured the public that there was no specific threat but he said the region's health services were ready for any strikes.

He said: "The Government has established detailed plans for responding to major incidents which have been drawn from practical experience.

"We are well prepared in the North West as is the rest of the nation.

"The planning activity is being carried out at a senior level between a network of agencies, based in the Cabinet office, providing a co-ordinated and integrated approach to emergency planning.

The North West is well linked into this network and keeps constant contact with Whitehall and local emergency services."

Mr Ashton added that there was no need for people to buy protective clothing such as gas masks.