BOLTON doctors have been warned to watch out for symptoms of anthrax.

Regional NHS bosses have issued guidance and information to medical staff at local hospitals -- and warned them to be extra vigilant as anthrax panic grips America.

Bolton's doctors have been told exactly how anthrax is contracted and warned about its different forms. The advice also details what the symptoms of the potentially killer disease are and how it should be treated.

Regional NHS chiefs stress that Bolton residents have nothing to worry about. They say the guidance is precautionary and has been sent out to hospitals across the region, including the Royal Bolton Hospital.

An NHS spokesman said today: "We have got to be safe rather than sorry. This is a precautionary measure.

"Health professionals have been contacted. They have been alerted to look out for any signs of symptoms of unusual diseases including anthrax. This is a precautionary measure.

"People have nothing to worry about. They should go on with their normal lives but look out for strange symptoms.

"We issued some guidance a couple of weeks ago. It is mainly information."

Dr Robert Aston, consultant in communicable disease control for Wigan and Bolton health authority, said there was no need for anyone in Bolton to be concerned about the threat of anthrax.

"There is no intention to give any sort of jabs or medication to anybody because there is no established threat from specific bio-terrorism at the moment. There is a great deal of unnecessary concern," he said.

"Surveillance is the key. If anthrax did occur in Bolton then I would know about it, but I have no concerns for myself or my family."

National warnings have come amid reports of suspicious packages containing white powder being sent to companies across Europe.

In America 11 people are feared to have contacted the disease. Reports of suspicious packages containing white powder have been received by police in Switzerland, France, Germany and England.

The Government's chief medical officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, has also warned: "We must prepare for the unthinkable."

Bolton Council sent its employees security memos last week. Staff have been told to check suspect packages for foreign postmarks, over-stamping, lack of specified title addresses, and soiled or badly taped containers and envelopes. The memo warns that size and package weight should also be closely monitored.

It is thought standard security procedures have been repeated and issued to staff in the wake of the American anthrax outbreaks.

Bolton Council employees have been told: "Do not take everything at face value, question the obvious and see the unusual."

A Consignia spokesman refused to discuss security procedures at Bolton's post office sorting depots, but the spokesman said stringent security operations were constantly in place.

She said: "Our staff are always trained to be vigilant when it comes to dealing with suspect packages. Our security systems are always in place."