PART of a chemical site was evacuated after a leak of toxic material yesterday.

The Dupont company said the evacuation from an area of the Wilton site, on Teesside, was a precautionary measure after the leak of an inflammable feedstock chemical, cyclohexane.

Spokesman John Chapel said: "It was a minor leak from a pump.''

Neighbouring chemical plants were alerted about the release of the chemical, which is used in a subsidiary process at the Teesside site.

The incident was dealt with in half an hour by Dupont's own emergency team, although Cleveland Fire Brigade was alerted.

There were no injuries and production was unaffected.