A MAJOR exercise is being held in Hampshire tomorrow to test the response of the emergency services.

Those taking part must deal with the aftermath of a major “accident” involving one or more of the industrial sites in the Waterside area, which includes Fawley oil refinery.

The exercise is being publicised in advance to prevent it causing any unnecessary alarm among people living in the area.

Firefighters and ambulance crews will be joined by representatives from other organisations, including the Environment Agency, Hampshire Primary Care Trust and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

A Hampshire County Council spokesman said the authority was designed to test the Fawley Off-Site Plan.

Daily Echo: Click below to see a video of today's headlines in sixty seconds

She added: “The safety of top-tier Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) sites is given the highest priority, with stringent measures in place to ensure that the likelihood of a major emergency occurring is extremely remote.

“These measures are primarily designed to prevent any hazardous incidents occurring in the first place.

“However, the COMAH regulations also require that plans are in place to deal with the occurrence of a major emergency, no matter how unlikely.

“The exercise will be held at Fawley Power Station.”