Shoppers were "evacuated" from a Preston retail park to test how emergency services cope with disasters.
A bomb alert scenario was mocked up to test plans for a real-life scare.
Actors from amateur dramatics clubs and other volunteers played the part of shoppers forced to leave Deepdale Retail Park following the discovery of a suspicious package.
They were evacuated to West View Leisure Centre in Ribbleton, one of the places earmarked as a rest centre for people who have to leave their homes during a bomb scare, fire or flood.
Alan Murray, Preston Council's emergency planning officer, said: "These events are designed to be very realistic, which is crucial as they test how effective our staff perform in the event of an emergency."
The 90-minute exercise also involved police, the WRVS, RSPCA, St John Ambulance and social services.
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