DOZENS of people were evacuated and one man was taken to hospital following a chemical leak last night.

Ambulance crews and firefighters were called after sulphuric acid fumes started leaking from a faulty battery at the Arts Centre, in Vane Terrace, Darlington, and the area was cordoned off.

Four fire crews went to the scene, along with a specialist team equipped to deal with toxic leaks, after reports of the leak on the first floor at about 6pm.

The alarm was raised after a man, believed to be an Arts Centre employee, inhaled the fumes. He was taken to casualty at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Students from the centre's evening classes and drinkers in the bar, along with staff, were evacuated.

It took fire crews just under two hours to locate the source of the leak.

Steve Owers, station commander for Durham and Darlington Fire Brigade, said: "It was a fault on the battery system for the emergency lighting.

"The battery was giving off fumes. We made the battery safe."

All evening classes at the centre - which is run by Darlington Borough Council - were cancelled last night. Staff were allowed back in at about 8pm.

The council declined to comment last night.