Anthrax scare leads to Stock Exchange evacuation

Britain suffered a series of anthrax alerts yesterday, including evacuation of part of the London Stock Exchange headquarters where 13 people were tested for contamination by the potentially deadly bacteria.

Anti-terrorist police were called to the Exchange's postroom in the capital's financial heartland after an envelope containing a small amount of white powder was discovered.

Eleven workers in the postroom and surrounding offices, along with two police officers who were first at the scene, were decontaminated and given antibiotics in hospital. Results from tests on the white powder and on 13 people are expected today.

In Liverpool, roads were sealed off and 300 staff were sent home from the city's main postal sorting office after a substance leaked from a suspicious package bearing a European postmark. Six people believed to have been in direct contact with the parcel had hospital treatment and the substance is being analysed.

In Fife, packages "purporting to contain anthrax" were delivered to various addresses, including St Andrews University where Prince William is a student. In London, a building being used by Nick Raynsford, the Local Government minister, to meet council leaders was evacuated after a suspect package was opened by a staff member.

Police said no specific threat had been received but they urged people to remain vigilant.

In the United States, four people have been confirmed as having anthrax.