Sandilands Tramlink tunnel will be the scene of a major emergency exercise in April.

Police, ambulance, fire brigade and Croydon Council emergency response team officers will be on hand to deal with a mock serious incident on Sunday, April 15.

The exercise is expected to be the first outing for the council's new emergency response vehicle.

The specially-equipped Renault Master van was unveiled today, ready for any emergency from a small scale evacuation following a fire to a dealing with the aftermath of a large-scale disaster.

Council deputy leader councillor Steve O'Connell said: "Although the initial response to any major emergency will be co-ordinated by the police, the council has a key role to play in a support capacity, looking after the longer-term recovery plan in a bid to help restore normality as quickly as possible."

He said the council had helped in past emergencies, setting up rest centres to provide food, supplies and blankets to residents forced from their homes by gas leaks and fires and providing transport and clean-up operations.

Coun O'Connell said the van will also link up to council's central emergency CCTV control room in Taberner House.