FIAT DEALERS GARAGES

UPDATE: M6 toll 'terror' chaos caused by health product

3:40pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in Worcester By Stephanie Preece

The terror alert which closed the M6 toll today was caused by a "health improvement aid for smokers", police said.

Armed officers responded to a genuine security alert from a concerned member of the public on board the coach travelling from Preston to London, Staffordshire Police said.

"The information received concerned a report of vapour escaping from a bag which on investigation turned out to be a health improvement aid for smokers," a force spokeswoman said.

No-one has been injured, there is no danger to passengers and no-one is being treated as a suspect after armed officers evacuated the Megabus coach, police said.

Officers responded "to a genuine report from a member of the public", the force spokeswoman said.

"Given the credibility of the information we received, we responded swiftly and proportionately.

"We can now confirm that, whilst this was a genuine security alert, the significant concerns reported to us were unfounded."

She went on: "It's important to state that no criminal offence has been committed and no passenger or any other member of the public is being treated as a suspect.

"Our utmost priority was the safety and security of the public and whilst on this occasion the incident was resolved peacefully without event, we want to encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and hope that the public understand that we have our duty to safeguard public safety."

Police received a report at about 8.20am from "a genuinely concerned member of the public" who saw vapour coming out of the bag as the coach was near the M6 toll plaza at Weeford, near Lichfield, the force spokeswoman said.

The incident shut the M6 toll road in both directions for more than four hours.

Armed police officers led the passengers off the vehicle one by one.

The passengers, including at least one young boy, were taken to a cordoned-off area of the motorway and surrounded by police.

Officers searched the coach passengers one by one.

Several other cordoned-off areas could also be seen, along with what appeared to be decontamination units.

Military personnel, police dog handlers, firefighters and other specialist units were also at the scene.

A spokeswoman for Megabus, which is operated by Stagecoach, said 48 passengers were booked on the service and all were safe and well.

"We are assisting police with their inquiries into an allegation made against a passenger who was travelling on the 05.10 Preston to London service," she said.

"There were 48 people booked to travel on board the service, which was due to arrive at Victoria Coach Station in London at 10.55am.

"Police have confirmed that all passengers are safe and well and they have been transferred to a substitute vehicle.

"We are making arrangements to provide onward travel for passengers as soon as we receive clearance from the police."

Eyewitness Nick Jones, who was stopped on the motorway for more than an hour and a half, told BBC News that police warned him to stay in his car, keep his windows closed and not to use air conditioning.

"I was beginning to feel a little uneasy," he said.

"I was beginning to look around for an escape route."

Lonergan bid falls short

8:20am Thursday 5th July 2012 in Latest By Marc Iles

Wanderers have been stopped in their tracks by Leeds United in the chase to land keeper Andy Lonergan.

An official bid was lodged for the 28-year-old former Preston North End stopper yesterday but sources at Elland Road suggest it failed to match Leeds’ valuation.

The Yorkshire club have also confirmed they will not be selling their current number one until manager Neil Warnock has wrapped up a deal with QPR for Paddy Kenny – which is likely to mean the issue running well into next week.

Kenny is currently on holiday and while his £500,000 move from Loftus Road is all-but completed, Warnock, pictured below, wants to leave nothing to chance with transfer-listed Paul Rachubka his only other experienced keeper.

Wanderers tried to kick-start things with a bid of their own but are now likely to have to raise their offer to something approaching the fee Leeds are looking to pay for Kenny, although Owen Coyle has other options he may consider.

Former England Under-21s international Lonergan has two years left on his contract at Leeds but feels his chances will be limited with Warnock’s trusted lieutenant Kenny on the way.

Coyle has been an admirer since his days in the Championship with Burnley and feels the Preston-born keeper could provide good competition for last season’s player of the year Adam Bogdan.

As expected, Wanderers completed their second summer signing yesterday by rubber-stamping Matt Mills’ move from Leicester City.

Although his arrival was initially expected to be a season-long loan, he has signed a three-year permanent contract after a late change of plan.

Mills and his representatives had been struggling to come to a financial arrangement with the Foxes, which at one point put the whole transfer in doubt.

But having now confirmed his arrival, Mills hopes his experience in the Championship will be a valuable asset in Wanderers’ promotion push.

The former Doncaster, Reading and Leicester man boasts 144 appearances in the division over the last six seasons and warned that the Whites are unlikely to get things all their own way.

“There are no given games in this division,” he said.

“In the Premier League, the top six more or less pick themselves season-on-season, but in the Championship there are a lot of teams who will expect to do well.

“There are a lot of games and a lot of ups and downs.

“It is going to be a marathon and not a sprint, and Reading showed that is possible last season because they got promoted after being mid-table just before Christmas.

“Saying that, it does help getting off to a good start and if the boys go out there and give 100 per cent and the fans get behind the team, I’m predicting it will be a successful and enjoyable season.”