STAFF at the Council house in Bromsgrove, who are responsible for opening the huge amount of post which arrives there daily, have been warned to take precautions in the light of the anthrax scare.

The mail is initially sorted on arrival at Burcot Lane and any suspect items set to one side for closer examination.

The remainder is then distributed to the various departments where staff don surgical gloves before opening it.

The move is part of the council's extra vigilance since the terrorist attack in the USA last month and the latest incidents of anthrax being sent through the post.

The council also has direct access to the police and Worcestershire Council Council's emergency planning officer.

At the start of the October meeting of the full council eight days ago, corporate director Bob Lewis issued a warning to councillors to be on their guard when opening their post.

He said that while he has no evidence to suggest member could be targeted, nevertheless their names and addresses are in the public domain and he advised them to err on the side of caution.

"Be careful, hopefully nothing will happen but one can never be sure," he said.

A West Mercia Constabulary spokesman said nationally, the police are monitoring the situation and are keeping local forces, who have contingency plans in place, fully informed.

He added the public should be vigilant when dealing with their mail, but stressed there is no need for alarm.