The new service will test Scotland's ability to respond to attacks

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said it would help Scottish authorities respond to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attacks (CBRN).

The Decontamination Service will provide advice on decontaminating buildings after a CBRN attack.

Mr Henry said the move was "a prudent and sensible measure".

The executive will contribute �250,000 to the new service, which will complement the UK-wide CBRN Resilience Programme and is expected to begin work in the summer.

Mr Henry said the executive had been working with the UK Government and Scotland's emergency response organisations to improve their capabilities.

"The new Decontamination Service will have a remit to help those responsible for clearing up after a CBRN incident, such as local authorities and to make sure they have considered and planned for decontamination," he added.

"It will also ensure that if there were an incident involving CBRN, authorities would be able to call upon a carefully assessed panel of specialist companies to carry out the decontamination operations.

"This is not a reaction to specific threats but a prudent and sensible measure to assist agencies to protect the public."