People have been warned not to leave any powdery substances lying around following a spate of anthrax scares.

Battersea fire stations fire rescue unit, the only one in south west London, has been called out three times in the past week.

In one case someone, probably children, had sprayed an unknown chemical in a phonebox in Mitcham. In another some powder in a box was spotted on the floor of caf in Gloucester Road.

New laws mean harsh penalties for anyone carrying out hoax attacks, but the public are also warned to beware of accidentally causing panic by discarding suspicious-looking substances.

Sub officer David Waterman warned if the unit, which has chemical protection equipment, is called out unnecessarily, people trapped in as the result of fires will be those who suffer.

We encourage people to be vigilant but if were called out it means fewer appliances are available to fight fires, he warned.

Meanwhile Wandsworths council and health bosses are reassuring the public that contingency plans are in place to deal with any anthrax scare.

There have been no reported cases of the contagious disease in Britain and Merton Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority say people are at no greater risk of contracting the disease than they were before the terror attacks in New York.

But health bosses have been in talks with the department of health to ensure they are prepared should the worst happen.

Director of public health Yvonne Doyle said GPs have been briefed about what to do, London-wide plans have been drawn up and enough vaccines and medicine are available.

Meanwhile the council says its emergency planning officers are meeting regularly with government, health and emergency services representatives.

Find out more about the contingency plans at www.co-ordination.gov.uk and about anthrax by calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

By.Wendy Phillips