This is the terrifying message Brits would have received in the event of a nuclear attack

IN the event of a Cold War nuclear strike, British civilians would have received the most chilling message imaginable.

Back in the dark days of the Cold War, the British government developed a “four-minute warning” system to alert the public that the country had come under attack.

Named after the amount of time Brits would have to prepare for an incoming strike, the four-minute warning represented the last chance for civillians to get to shelter.

As air raid sirens sounded across the nation, TV bulletins and radio broadcasts would have been used to spread the terrifying news that a nuclear missile was headed for the UK.

And had there been a hostile missile launch, the message that would have been sent to all Brits which will chill you to the bone.

A sample script reveals TVs and radios would blare out the chilling line: "This is the Wartime Broadcasting Service. This country has been attacked with nuclear weapons."

The message would then continue: "Communications have been severely disrupted, and the number of casualties and the extent of the damage are not yet known.

"We shall bring you further information as soon as possible. Meanwhile, stay tuned to this wavelength, stay calm and stay in your own house.

"Remember there is nothing to be gained by trying to get away. By leaving your homes you could be exposing yourself to greater danger.

"If you leave, you may find yourself without food, without water, without accommodation and without protection.

"Radioactive fall-out, which follows a nuclear explosion, is many times more dangerous if you are directly exposed to it in the open.

"Roofs and walls offer substantial protection. The safest place is indoors.

"Make sure gas and other fuel supplies are turned off and that all fires are extinguished. If mains water is available, this can be used for fire-fighting.

"You should also refill all your containers for drinking water after the fires have been put out, because the mains water supply may not be available for very long.

"Water must not be used for flushing lavatories: until you are told that lavatories may be used again, other toilet arrangements must be made. Use your water only for essential drinking and cooking purposes. Water means life. Don't waste it.

"Make your food stocks last: ration your supply, because it may have to last for 14 days or more. If you have fresh food in the house, use this first to avoid wasting it: food in tins will keep.

"If you live in an area where a fall-out warning has been given, stay in your fall-out room until you are told it is safe to come out. When the immediate danger has passed the sirens will sound a steady note.

"The 'all clear' message will also be given on this wavelength. If you leave the fall-out room to go to the lavatory or replenish food or water supplies, do not remain outside the room for a minute longer than is necessary.

"Do not, in any circumstances, go outside the house. Radioactive fall-out can kill. You cannot see it or feel it, but it is there. If you go outside, you will bring danger to your family and you may die.

"Stay in your fall-out room until you are told it is safe to come out or you hear the 'all clear' on the sirens.

"We shall be on the air every hour, on the hour. Stay tuned to this wavelength, but switch your radios off now to save your batteries. That is the end of this broadcast."

Thankfully, this chilling broadcast was never aired, and the government scrapped the four-minute warning in 1992.

However, in light of the volatile global landscape, we recently told how the government may be planning to reintroduce a variant of this warning system.

And we also recently shared details of the American Cold War strategy which could have plunged the world into an earth-shattering nuclear conflict.