Thousands of anti-cancer pills have been given out to schools in Hampshire after a nuclear submarine has docked nearby.
But the drugs are just a precaution in case the submarine, HMS Torbay, starts to leak radiation.
First time
The potassium ioate pills prevent cancer of the thyroid - which is a large gland in the neck. The pills have been given to 31 schools within two kilometres of Portsmouth dock.
This is the first time that a precaution like this has been taken.
'Very unlikely'
Emergency planning officer for the council, Martyn Powell, said: "These pills would only be handed out in the very unlikely event of a leak.
"If there was a leak, alarms would sound and the schools and distribution centres would be alerted by phone."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman also said that a leak is very unlikely.
"There has never been an accident involving a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine which has led to the leaking of nuclear material into the atmosphere."
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