A new fast response vehicle was launched today to help firefighters in Teesside deal with incidents which may harm the environment.

The new vehicle, which is equipped to deal quickly with calls to hazardous material incidents such as a chemical spill will replace the converted lorry which Cleveland Fire Brigade previously relied on.

The £100,000 environment vehicle, which will be used by fire crews throughout the brigade area in Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Hartlepool, is also equipped to decontaminate anyone at an incident who may come into contact with a harmful substance.

Councillor Kenneth Leonard, chairman of Cleveland Fire Authority, said: "The old vehicle attended almost 600 incidents in the five years it was in service. Last year we decided it was time to replace it and Environment Agency partners agreed to help pay for the new vehicle."

Craig McGarvey, from the Environment Agency, said: "We were delighted to help fund this vital project. We worked together to establish the original environment protection unit in 1999, and this new vehicle will help the brigade to continue its role in the protection of the local community and the local environment."