DOZENS of SAS troops descended on the North-East in three Merlin helicopters as part of preparations for the war against terrorism.

The training exercise in Newcastle was aimed to see how swiftly they could respond if the region came under attack.

They were scrambled at RAF Leeming, in North Yorkshire.

Within minutes, the three Merlins, each carrying soldiers and chemical and biological warfare experts, landed at the city's heliport, near the Telewest Arena.

Newcastle Heliport chief, Martin Burgin, said: "They came to test out rapid landing, in case there is a chemical or biological attack on the city and they need to get here quickly.

"This is the first time they have used the heliport for this kind of thing. People should feel reassured that - because the heliport is so near the city centre - if there was a terrorist attack here, forces would be able to get in quickly, certainly more so than in other cities."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "What they are doing is simulating the skills and reactions that will be needed by people in the event of a real-life attack.

"They were testing that they could land quickly if they were needed."

The mission came days after police officers in the region were instructed on how to deal with suicide bombers.