The looming war with Iraq is causing alarm among many people in Sussex who are fearful of what it could bring.

Even if any conflict is over quickly, there is always the risk of a reprisal raid by those totally opposed to the stance being taken by the USA and Britain.

The authorities have been on alert for the last year-and-a-half since September 11 made them only too aware the same sort of terrorist attack could happen in Britain.

Quietly and quickly, they have been making plans to deal with almost any kind of emergency that might affect Sussex and the rest of the country.

They hope we never have to deal with any kind of terrorist atrocity but are prepared in case the worst occurs.

Meanwhile, we can all play our part by drawing the attention of the emergency services to anything suspicious. It really is better to be safe than sorry.