FIRE and rescue crews from across Europe and the Middle East are taking part in a major exercise in Hampshire simulating an earthquake hitting a fictional UK town.

The event is aimed at testing the response of the emergency services from the UK and seven other countries to an “unthinkable” disaster. Funded through a one million euro grant, the three-day Exercise Orion is being held at Fort Widley, near Portsmouth. The specially created disaster scene includes collapsed apartment blocks, a motorway bridge and an oil storage plant. Hampshire Police, South Central Ambulance Service, Fareham Borough Council, the Environment Agency, Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service are taking part.