Hampshire's chief emergency planner claims he and his colleagues have been abandoned by Whitehall as the country gears up for war.

Ian Hoult, secretary of the national emergency planning society, says the Government has failed to draw up a central strategy to tackle the menace of terrorist strikes.

After warnings from Afghanistan that there would be more assaults on the US and her allies--possibly using chemical or biological weapons--he is concerned about the "total lack" of centralised, co-ordinated emergency plans. "The Prime Minister talks publicly about the threat, but there is no guidance or advice coming out to the emergency planning officers at the county council.

"In the event of a major emergency, central government has put no national structure in place for us to follow. The Government must give some thought to national co-ordination and local arrangements."

Mr Hoult says that the only contact he has had with the Cabinet Office--the Whitehall department which took over responsibility for emergency planning from the Home Office after the last election--was a phonecall asking for his fax number.

Hampshire has had to crack on with its plans regardless and officers have brought together leading members of county-wide agencies to prepare for potential attacks.

In the event of an emergency, the plan will swing into action, co-ordinating policing, fire and rescue services, ambulances, hospitals, health authorities and the environment agency.

Mr Hoult added: "The threat is low and people should not be rushing out to buy gas masks. But that is not to say that once we start to send in ground troops, the assessment won't change. In the event of that, any help from the Government would be much appreciated."

He reassured Hampshire residents that, despite having been deserted by the Government, the council was stepping up its preparations.