BRITAIN'S FIRST terrorist survival course for the public was held in Glasgow yesterday, just three months after the city was attacked for real, writes Murray Scougall.

Organisers beleive it will be the first of many such course in the UK, as the public become aware that knowledge is needed to avoid or survive future attacks like the incident at Glasgow Airport.

People from all walks of life, including advocates, off duty police officers, students, engineers and one pensioner, took part in Glasgow.

Among the topics covered were suicide bombings, hostage survival, aircraft hijack and grenade survival.

The day began with an alarming start when a mock suicide bomber threw a fake explosive into the room. After a flash and a bang, the room filled with smoke and artifical body parts were strewn arond the floor.

Scottish-based company 360 Defence Limited say they planned the course before the Glasgow Airport attack.

Managing director Simon Leila said, "This is the first event we've had for the public in the UK and we expect it to be the first of many.

"Customers tend to be corporate bodies, industry, and government offices. We do a lot of risk consultancy and penetration tests for such organisations, but believe there is an interest from the public, too.

"The intention is to give people lessons in how and why these types of incident happen and how to prevent or survive them"