Emergency crews practise major incident response

The mock exercise will take place throughout Wednesday

Emergency services are staging a mock major incident so crews can practise how they would respond to a real crisis.

Surrey County Council (SCC) said there would be a "heavy" emergency presence in and around Apps Court Farm and the Xcel Leisure centre in Walton-on-Thames on Wednesday.

It said the "mock, multi-agency" exercise will simulate a major incident and test the effectiveness of multi-agency plans.

An SCC spokesperson said the "live play" exercise - codenamed "Exercise Ember" - will take place between 9:00 and 14:00 BST.

They said the South East Coast Ambulance Service, as well as the Hazardous Area Response Team, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, Surrey Police, other relevant local authorities and the site owner will be involved.

Representatives from Heathrow and Gatwick airports will also attend, the spokesperson continued.

The exercise is expected to involve approximately 150 personnel, according to the local authority.

Residents have been asked to "not be alarmed" during the mock exercise.