standby

Teams with special dogs and a mobile operations centre have also been sent to the island, while helicopters are on standby in case of emergency.

His was one of several teams on standby in case one of the hostages had a medical emergency and says there were strict instructions about how to interact with those who returned.

He said eight ambulances had been dispatched and hospitals were on standby.

It also said emergency services were on standby at Greatford, near Stamford, to monitor the West Glen River, which it said threatened to inundate 49 properties in the area.

That may include turning off radiators in unused rooms, switching lights off when they are not needed, and not leaving electrical appliances on standby.