ARMY surplus stores across the region have been inundated by orders for gas masks as panic over chemical warfare sets in following the terrorist attacks in America.

But owners have called for calm, with one proprietor trying to talk people out of buying gas masks and chemical warfare suits because they believe there will be no need for them.

As fears grow that anthrax or smallpox could be spread by terrorists, Genuine Army Surplus, in North Road, Darlington, has sold out of its supplies.

Last night, manager Steve Thompson said he had sold 50 gas masks and suits since Saturday, having held shoppers - trying to find equipment for children as young as three - at bay with his reassurances.

Now he refuses to order more because he feels people are wasting their money.

John Gains, who runs John Bull Military Clothing, in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, said orders had been coming in from across the world - with a fax asking for 5,500 arriving from Australia yesterday morning.

Although he has been taking calls, even from America, since the World Trade Centre attack, he too believes there was no need for people to buy these items - and he could not get them anyway.

Mr Thompson urged emergency planners to explain what measures were in place for such an attack and to provide a voice of calm.

He said: "Calm people down before it starts getting out of hand."

The Cabinet Office last night called for calm and said there was "no immediate or present threat" and that the Government was not recommending people buy gas masks.

A spokesman said that, should there be a threat, information about action to be taken would be circulated.

"We don't recognise an immediate or present threat," he added.