Mid and South Essex NHS Trust have released a statement on social media warning the public about a ‘live emergency training exercise’ taking place this morning at Basildon Hospital.

In the statement posted to Facebook, the trust urges Basildon residents not to panic if they ‘spot any of our actors wearing protective gear’, explaining that the hospital is running a CBRNe exercise.

CBRNe exercises are practice events that allow different branches of the emergency services to gain experience in working with one another during high-risk situations.

The exercises usually involve simulated chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive threats.

The exercise taking place at Basildon Hospital will run from 8.30am until 10.30am and like most CBRNe exercises, will feature actors playing the role of the public.