Emergency mobile alert system to be tested in UK

BRITONS could be warned about impending disaster by text message if upcoming trials are successful. The Government has announced plans to test the system in Glasgow city centre, Easingwold, in North Yorkshire, and Leiston, in Suffolk.

The system, which will begin later this month, would allow messages to be sent to mobile phones in the case of emergencies such as natural disasters, terror attacks or large-scale accidents.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said: "I want to reassure the public that these tests are not linked to any threat or specific hazard in their area. We have included diverse areas - both rural and urban - as part of our tests, as we want to look at how effective the different systems are in different areas in using mobile phones to deliver mass messaging.

[link to www.express.co.uk]