EMERGENCY services will see their major incident response skills put to the test at Newhaven port today.

Police, paramedics, air ambulance, firefighters, lifeboat crews, coastguard and the border force are taking part in a joint training exercise.

The teams will face an emergency scenario with casualties played by actors between 11am and 4pm.

Paramedic Luke Hopkins said: “It’s vital we carry out training such as this regularly so our plans are well rehearsed.

"The exercise will take place within the port, except when we initially respond.

"We obviously want the public to be aware of the exercise so that they aren’t concerned.

“While our work crosses over regularly, I know this training is going to prove extremely valuable and I’m looking forward to working with our partners to ensure we are well prepared and ready to respond in the event of any real incidents.”

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Group Manager for Lewes, Brighton and Hove, Nigel Cusack added: “We always welcome the opportunity to carry out exercises with our partners and are especially grateful for Newhaven Port Authority in affording us this excellent venue.

"Large scale exercising in this joined up way ensures that as responding agencies we can test and our response and resilience plans.”