Amy GrayAn exercise to test Southwold's reaction to a major oil spill was carried out for the first time yesterday. A scenario was given to groups across Suffolk at 9am.Amy Gray

An exercise to test Southwold's reaction to a major oil spill was carried out for the first time yesterday.

A scenario was given to groups across Suffolk at 9am. They were informed that two vessels had 'crashed' off the coast of the seaside town, resulting in a 500m oil slick.

Acting as though the events were playing out, three tiers of teams tackled Exercise Avocet.

At Southwold Sailing Club, groups and agencies, including representatives from Waveney District Council and the Environment Agency, formed the bronze tier of management and worked at the location.

Obstacles they had to overcome included bringing in floating booms from Ely to contain the oil, dealing with protesters and evacuating visitors from the beach.

The silver tier of police and council officers gave orders from Halesworth police station and the gold tier - which included chief executives of the councils and senior members of the police - managed the whole exercise from their base at Martlesham and planned ahead.

Waveney District councillor Simon Tobin, also chairman of the Community Emergency Group of Southwold and Reydon, said: 'I think it is really good that this is happening, it shows what we need to be aware of.

'If you had oil going up the River Blyth, it would be an environmental disaster. You have heronries up there, it's absolutely a place of outstanding natural beauty.'

The scenario lasted all day, but took into account three days worth of issues.

Mr Tobin said that following such a catastrophe, the agencies would focus on rebuilding and restoring the local economy and wildlife.

Karen Chambers, of the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit, said: 'I think bronze have been doing very well and certainly having Simon and the team here with the local knowledge is absolutely fantastic.

'We need to plan because these are things that can happen.'