FEARS that Lancashire could become a terrorist target following the IRA bomb attack on Manchester are being taken seriously by police.

The weekend's scenes of devastation proved a deadly reminder of the bomb found at Preston's Royal Navy recruitment office exactly five years ago.

Now, Lancashire Police are appealing to the public to be extra vigilant and become their eyes and ears in the fight against the terrorist threat.

Assistant Chief Constable David Smith said: "Lancashire has been the target for terrorist activity before so we must all face up to the possibility of further bomb attacks. "I want to reassure people this police force is doing all it can to minimise risks. I want businesses to double check security and make sure everybody is aware of what to do in an emergency."

Five years ago almost to the day, an unexploded bomb (suspected IRA) was discovered in the Royal Navy office in Fishergate, Preston. The bomb disposal team blasted the device in a controlled explosion and no-one was hurt though nearby buildings were damaged.

Later that year a crate of around twenty incendiary devices thought to have belonged to the IRA, was discovered on a Carlisle to London train at Preston railway station. One of them went off accidentally.

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