A FIRE emergency exercise is to be held on Portland and organisers are warning residents not to panic.

The simulated emergency will be taking place at the Royal Manor Theatre in Fortuneswell on Thursday, July 1 at between 7pm and 9pm.

It follows a nuclear emergency exercise in March during which residents panicked amid fears that a real attack had taken place.

Officials dropped warning leaflets through doors, while loudspeaker announcements about water works taking place added to the confusion.

The latest drill is being organised by crew manager Lee Freeman, of Portland retained fire station, and will involve Portland firefighters and whole-time firefighters from Weymouth.

Theatre company spokesman Mike Deadman said: “The size of the operation will be huge.

“Due to the size of the building, Dorset Fire and Rescue have identified the Royal Manor Theatre as being an ideal location for a simulated emergency, but in a larger scale than they would usually work to on a standard exercise.

“Dorset Police will be notifying nearby residents so that they don’t panic or make unnecessary calls to emergency services.

“Resources permitting, there will be several fire engines in use, situated in the road of Fortuneswell, and at Verne Common Road.”

“We can assure everyone that passing traffic should not be affected.”

Mr Deadman added that Royal Manor Theatre’s own theatre safety officer also hoped to learn from the exercise.

He also asked residents not to gather outside as police would be on hand to move on anyone who stopped to watch.

Mr Freeman said: “It’s a good chance for us, as the retained station on Portland, to familiarise ourselves with the building in case we have to turn up in a fire engine.

“There will be simulated smoke for firefighters entering the building wearing breathing apparatus and the drama club members will hopefully be part of it.

“We may have a few people acting and screaming.”