WHEN we start each morning currently with concern about the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in America, today's news about little Elizabeth Morris is a real light in the gloom.

The leukaemia sufferer from Ringley has been found a bone marrow match after almost a year of searching.

There have been many bitter setbacks for the youngster and her family. Earlier this year, doctors revealed that her two-year-old sister Rachel was incompatible and thus unable to donate her bone marrow.

Elizabeth's life has been severely curtailed by the illness and its treatment. Chemotherapy, administered through a permanent catheter in her chest, prevents the little girl from enjoying her favourite swimming pastime.

The strain on her family is also the kind that most of us can only contemplate with dread.

Local people have taken the plucky lass to their hearts. Many have undertaken fund-raising events to help provide a dream trip to swim with dolphins.

Now, they, like us, will be delighted at the latest news and the prospect of Elizabeth's health undergoing a dramatic improvement.

Our thoughts today are with her and her family, and with the donor family whose remarkable gift will help to give Elizabeth her life back again. Readiness is the name of the game THE idea of germ warfare is particularly frightening to most of us. Its sheer lack of control and profile as an "unseen enemy" continue to make it an especially worrying threat.

These fears have been raised once more in the ongoing battle against terrorism. And many people in the Bolton area may be worried to learn that emergency health plans are in place to deal with any chemical warfare locally.

This is not, however, an indication of any imminent moves.

The latest guidelines were introduced following the 1995 Sarin gas attack in Tokyo, although, coincidentally, around 30 emergency services' workers attended a workshop on risk assessment and hazards at the Reebok Stadium just last month.

Readiness is the name of the game when it comes to terrorist action. Residents here should take heart that their local services are not only aware of dangerous possibilities, but ready to tackle them practically.