Essex County council has responded to a public request for information by referring the matter to experts from TV series' Ghostbusters, The X Files and Shaun of the Dead.

Councillors recieved the Freedom of Information (FOI) request, which asked for a copy of protection plans should there be a zombie or viral infection pandemic, in August.

The request also demanded information on the number of UFO sightings and paranormal activity councillors had dealt with in Essex over the past 10 years.

In response to the anonymous Freedom of Information request, Essex County Council replied that it had contracted out the questions to 'external providers'.

The providers included characters from science fiction films and television shows.

The local authority said in its published response that Fox Mulder and Dana Scully had "been seconded from the FBI to the Essex County Council X-Files project" in preperation.

They also advised that in light of zombie invansions and Viral Pandemics, residents should contact Shaun from Shaun of the Dead at The Winchester Tavern and 28 Days Later star, Major Henry West.

However, the council added: "Henry can only be contacted 28 days later from the receipt of this response."