[Ramrod]

Britain under attack from mysterious white substance

Britain came under sustained attack today from a mysterious white substance known as "snow". Rooftops, pavements, grassed areas and other surfaces have all been covered in the affected areas, with human-shaped mounds forming in some places.

Witnesses described the substance "raining down from the heavens". "It was frightening, I've never seen anything like it before," said one. "I thought it would never end but it just kept coming."

The origins of the attack are unclear and it is not yet known how many casualties it has caused. A DeadBrain journalist was monitoring known extremist websites, including Fox News, for claims of responsibility, but was arrested under the Terrorism Act and imprisoned for 28 days.

COBRA, the Cabinet's emergency response committee, has met several times during the course of the day. Defence Secretary Dr John Reid appealed for calm from his underground bunker. "Right now we don't know what this is or what has caused it, but we're doing everything we can to stop it, which isn't a lot," he said.

"People should stay indoors and tape their doors and windows shut. They certainly should not touch this substance if they see it, and it is advisable to boil your water if you live in an affected area."

A spokesman for the Home Office listed the areas affected as being London and the South East, eastern England and northern England †“ "so basically all the important bits and eastern and northern England".