POLICE today launched a Christmas anti-terrorism campaign across Lancashire amid fears of violence during the run up to the festive period.

The move, which follows a Metropolitan Police decision to increase security in London, has come as hopes of an IRA ceasefire hang on a knife edge.

The local campaign will include posters with the slogan "Terrorism - Help Us Defeat It" being displayed throughout the county.

Officers from the Anti Terrorist Branch will also be manning a confidential hotline 0800 789321 which the public will be asked to call if they see anything suspicious.

And businesses in the county have been warned to tighten security and ensure video cameras guarding their premises are in good working order.

The bid to increase security awareness comes as the Government said the IRA would have to announce a ceasefire before it could be admitted to all-party talks on the future of Northern Ireland. The IRA's political wing Sinn Fein is demanding assurances from the Government and there are fears of a violent backlash if an agreement is not reached within the next few weeks.

Assistant Chief Constable David Smith, Lancashire Police's head of operations, said today: "The poster campaign is part of our continuing process to remind people here in Lancashire that they can be our eyes and ears in our efforts to counter the terrorist threat.

"It is important to keep the threat of terrorism in perspective because for most of us terrorism is something which we only hear about on the news.

"But equally it is important to remember that Lancashire has been targeted before, which is why we are asking people to be alert and report anything suspicious."

David Veness, the Metropolitan Police's assistant commissioner, said: "We want to make the life of the terrorist as difficult as possible.

"Terrorists intend to kill and maim and cause massive economic damage here in Great Britain."

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