A TANKER carrying flammable chemicals caused an alert after it slipped 10ft down an embankment.

Firefighters took more than seven hours to recover the vehicle, which had fallen into a ditch as it was being reversed into a parking space.

A salvage unit and firefighters wearing gas-tight protection suits were called to the incident at Barton Lorry Park, near Scotch Corner, on Wednesday night.

No leaks were immediately apparent, but a blanket of foam was laid to prevent any potential leak from igniting.

Two attempts were made to pull the vehicle free from the embankment, but finally a crane had to be requested to lift the tanker onto a transporter.

Sub-Officer Paul Ferguson said: "The driver said he thought he smelt traces of the chemical.

"Therefore my primary concern was to protect the area from sparks that may have ignited any leaks.

"Once we had established the area was as safe as it could be, we then focused our attention on maintaining the safety of the site."

Firefighters remained on the scene into the early hours of yesterday morning until the site was cleared.