Few people have a more important role in the fight against biological and chemical weapons than Porton Man.

He is not a real person but a mannequin who was given his title by scientists at Porton Down.

And this is a dummy with a big job who could help save many lives.

For Porton Man is used to test all the protective equipment that troops are issued with in case they are ever attacked with biological or chemical weapons.

He has his own chamber where he is exposed to all sorts of nasty germs and diseases.

The chamber is airtight I was assured and when in use is strictly out of bounds.

Every type of protective equip-ment for our troops is tested by him under all sorts of created conditions which often include him moving his arms up and down.

Matt Chinn is the scientist group leader for protective systems who knows Porton Man well.

He said: "We use him to test everything our troops need to wear in the form of protection.

"If there are any weaknesses either in design or which occur during wear and tear he alerts us.

"Our military has the best at the moment, but we are constantly striving to improve things par-ticularly as regards the weight of equipment they have to wear in very hot climates."

Porton Man is so sophisticated he can even be used to record the reaction of direct human contact to biological contamination.

Standard protection wear for a soldier would probably include the following:

Impact resistant eye pieces, a special respirator with filter canisters, a chlorobutyl rubber face-piece, butyl gloves, a chemical agent monitor, special suit to protect from all biological and chemical agents, butyl overboots and detector papers which respond to liquid test droplets.