The government has unveiled an £8 million campaign aimed at providing advice for the public in the event of a terrorist attack.

Television and radio adverts were launched on Monday ahead of the distribution of leaflets to all 25 million households in the UK.

Ministers said the information contained "practical advice on how to prepare for a range of emergencies".

It contains details on what to do in an emergency, coping with specific emergencies, basic first aid, how to prepare for an emergency and how the public can help prevent a terrorist attack.

Similar campaigns in Australia and America have been accused of wasting taxpayers' money and scaremongering.

But ministers insist the British example has taken the best practice from abroad and concentrated on providing practical steps of advice and reassurance in response to widespread demand.

Home secretary David Blunkett said it was part of a government drive to make more information available to the public.

"It's not only about what they can do, but about what we as government are doing to make the UK as safe a place as possible," he added.

"Public safety and security is the number one concern for government.

"The practical advice in this booklet will allow people to make sensible preparations that will help them in a range of emergencies, such as fires, as well as terrorist incidents.
 
"This is not in response to any specific or heightened threat to the UK but it is clear there has been an increasing wish from the public to have this information and advice drawn together and made easily available."

Shadow homeland security spokesman Patrick Mercer said the government was reacting late to Conservative calls.

"This is a sensible measure, but it has taken the government a very long time to do as we asked," he said.

"Next, we want to see the government start public training to back up this information."