BOLTON people rushing to buy gas masks after the terrorist attacks on America have been warned they will not protect them from all forms of chemical warfare.

Government health officials warn the masks are ineffective against deadly nerve agents which are absorbed through the skin.

The warning came as Bolton specialist stores reported vast increases in sales of military respirators and protective suits. Many proprietors are being forced to order more stock as demand grows.

Shopkeepers say customers are buying goods including Israeli gas masks and American suits, because they fear potentially devastating germ warfare attacks on Britain.

Pete Lomax, owner of Overlord Militaria, said today: "At the moment I could even offer them Second World War masks and they would be buying them.

"People are on the phone all the time inquiring about our stock of masks and suits -- but I sold out of all of them on Monday.

"They are buying these sorts of goods because they fear that the terrorists have got these weapons and they will use them in any attacks."

Items sold out at Mr Lomax's store in Tonge Moor Road include: Gulf War Israeli army gas masks at £15, Swedish military respirators costing £15 and S10 British military masks at £25.

The store have also sold out of American nuclear, biological and chemical warfare suits (NBCs) costing £20 and British NBCs at £15. Staff are ordering more from London-based army supply agencies.

Threat

Mr Lomax, aged 50, owner of the store for 19 years, said: "One family from St Helens bought 10 suits and 10 respirators for themselves and their children. I have never seen anything like this.

"We normally sell these sorts of suits to paintballers, but now we are selling them to people young and old and from all parts of society. We are going to order more because we are going to sell them -- I would be a fool not to."

Today's news comes after reports of people panic buying masks and protective suits across the country following a warning issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) about the threat of chemical and biological attacks.