A NIGHTMARE scenario featuring a terrorist bomb attack in a town centre was played out as part of a simulation yesterday.

About 50 business owners and shop managers took part in a multimedia event at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, showing how to cope with a terrorist attack and ways to help prevent such incidents.

The three-hour event was the first of its kind in the county and the third in the region, and was organised by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (Nactso), Durham Police and Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum.

While Bishop Auckland may seem an a unlikely choice for terrorists' attention, it is only a few miles from Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency.

Superintendent Andy Summerbell, who is part of the police force's counter terrorism team, said that anywhere could be targeted.

He said: "There isn't any direct threat to Bishop Auckland - I guess there's no direct threat to anywhere except London, but it could happen anywhere.

"Bishop Auckland is no different to, dare I say, Warrington, and we know what happened there," he said, referring to the explosions in 1993 that killed two boys.

"What if somebody comes to the leisure centre in Newton Aycliffe with a bomb strapped to them? What if they did the same in Trimdon?"

The simulation, part of the nationwide Project Argus scheme, uses sound and video projections to create a realistic experience of a terrorist attack.

Questions were asked of the traders, and advice was given by emergency service and local authority staff.

Topics covered included dealing with the event, coping with the aftermath and how to avoid such an attack by being vigilant and reporting suspicious activities.

Town centre manager Derek Toon said: "To me, this event is like car insurance - it's a policy you buy hoping never to have to use - but if we do, we'll be prepared."

Project Argus events have taken place on Teesside, and will be held in Murton, near Seaham, and Durham City later this year.