ACTING talents were put to the test as Bexley Council trialled its emergency planning during a mock disaster.

Volunteers played the parts of dazed and traumatised residents of a Thamesmead tower block caught up in a fire in their flats.

A practice rest centre was set up at the Bexley Business Academy in Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, for the evacuated residents, who were delivered to the centre by ambulance and Bexley Accessible Transport Scheme.

Key council services, such as housing and social services were there to assist residents, while volunteers from the Red Cross and St John Ambulance provided medical support.

Council staff set up an observation/assessment area and areas for eating and socialising, complete with television and books and games for all ages.

Morrisons supermarket in Erith donated all the food and drink.

The parts of the residents were played by volunteers from Inspire Community Trust, Bexley Youth Council and Trust Thamesmead.

Some played quiet, shocked residents, while others were more vocal about their needs.

Staff found themselves dealing with evacuees wandering off without notice, attempted theft, newly-weds worried about losing their belongings, reports of a scared unmuzzled rottweiler on the loose, requests for hotel accommodation, taxi and train fares, press enquiries, heated arguments and complaints, rumoured fatalities and even a demand for a waterbed.

In addition they had to establish information lines for worried relatives and provide regular briefings to the residents, staff and the press of the latest news on the fire and the damage caused.

Kevin Taylor, who managed the rest centre for the event, said: "These exercises are a learning opportunity and we do not look for perfection.

“They provide an opportunity where we are allowed to get things wrong, so that we can get them right when it really matters. “