A BUSINESSMAN today spoke of his deal to provide the country with terrorist attack shelters and said: "I just hope they are never used."

Richard Bailey's inflatable decontamination units shelter people from the effects of chemical or biological incidents.

They are now being supplied to the government and will be passed on to most local councils across Britain as contingency plans are stepped up.

News of the deal came just days after Eliza Manningham-Buller, head of MI5, warned that a terrorist attack on a major Western city using a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear bomb was inevitable.

The government unveiled plans to strengthen the power of authorities to deal with the aftermath of an attack. The use of Mr Bailey's products form part of this scheme. Mr Bailey, from Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley, is the chief executive of Huddersfield-based Aire Group and is also involved in the design of the products.

The company's inflatable shelters were used in the aftermath of the September 11 atrocity and in Kosovo to house refugees and Nato troops.

They are also a familiar sight closer to home as all the emergency services in Lancashire use them.

Mr Bailey, echoing the head of M15, said: "I think now it is not a case of if, but when for when a terrorist attack will happen.

"I hope they never have to be used, but the British government is buying the best products -- not just mine but the other items they are buying.

"We have been helping the government for the past 24 months and now we will be servicing the whole of Great Britain.

"Business is pretty good at the moment. I am a Lancashire lad out in the world and I just try and do my best."

Cabinet Office Minister Douglas Alexander added: "The Government is committed to ensuring the best possible civil contingency framework exists in the UK."