Gas mask sales soar over war fears

There has been an increased demand for gas masks

A shop selling military equipment in north Wales has reported a dramatic increase in the sale of gas masks as fears increase over a possible war with Iraq.

The Denbigh Army Surplus Store is one of the few in the country to stock the protective gear.

My niece lives in London and she and her husband took gas masks down there, people are worried about the tube

Mick Brady Denbigh Army Surplus store

Shop manager Mick Brady said demand initially increased after the 11 September terror strikes in America.

"We've gone from selling two to three gas masks a month to 20 a month.

"My eyes were opened during the fuel crisis a few years ago and then the anthrax scare, so I'm not surprised by the amount of people wanting gas masks.

"We were busy after 11 September and then when the anthrax scare happened we had a three month window which was crazy.

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"This is nothing like that, but we have definitely seen a spike," he said.

Mr Brady said he has taken calls from all over the country and he expects more following the discovery on Tuesday of the deadly poison ricin in a north London flat.

"My niece lives in London and she and her husband took gas masks down there. People are worried about the Tube.

"A friend of mine has also put an order in for 10 jerry cans, he's worried about an increase in fuel prices or another disruption," he said.

Mr Brady, who has managed the Denbigh store for 14 years said locally there has not been an increased demand for gas masks.

Military action

However, he has supplied a number of people from London and the south east of England with the military equipment.

One call came in from a journalist in France who could not find a supplier in his country.

The average gas mask costs £45 and requires filters, each one lasts for about eight hours and will only work effectively if the mask fits the size of the user's face.

"The big thing is that although these masks are military equipment, people don't have the knowledge to use them properly," said Mr Brady.

On Tuesday reserve soldiers across Wales were put on standby for possible military action against Iraq.