POLICE simulated a major riot on the site of the planned prison at Middleton last night.

Special Police Officers acted as rioters and 150 police from across Lancashire - from constables to senior officers - quelled the pretend fray.

But police insisted the riot-game was not to prepare for future potential prison riots.

"This is nothing to do with it becoming a prison," said Acting Supt Indt Geoff Beaty. "This is to do with public order.

"It's simply because the opportunity has arisen for us to be able to use a deserted site that is like a town. It doesn't create as much as a problem in places like that. That it might become a prison is nothing to do with it."

But campaigner against the prison, Barbara Williams, thought the simulated riot could be a sign of things to come.

"How prophetic this is and a terrible waste of money. They're going to play a game. We are a quiet country village. I really can't believe this is going on.

"I can't see what the point of this training is unless they are looking at a prison riot. And I can't believe they haven't informed us about this before, the parish council or residents should have been informed at some stage."

Meanwhile police said they would behave safely at the simulated riot.

MAGPIE - Middleton Action Group against a Prison In our Environment is still waiting for a decision from the government on whether the prison will be built or not. The final decision rests with deputy prime minister John Prescott.

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