RESIDENTS were given the all-clear last night after being confined to their homes following an escape of toxic fumes.

People living in the Grangetown area of Teesside were advised to stay indoors and to keep all their windows closed following a leak of nitric acid from the Dupont Wilton site.

Cleveland Police closed roads and diverted traffic around the plant after the incident, which happened at about 4.40pm yesterday.

Nitric oxide is used in the manufacture of nylon and can be corrosive in high concentrations and quantities. Emergency services were called to the scene to minimise any possible dangers.

But last night a spokeswoman for Dupont said: "The all-clear was sounded just after 7pm when all precautionary measures were lifted following the incident at the Acids 2 Plant at Wilton."

She also confirmed that air quality readings had shown there had been no offsite effects as a result of the controlled release of nitric oxide fumes from the plant.

There had, she said, been no casualties either on or off the site, but she announced that a investigation had already been launched into the cause of the incident.

She gave an assurance that the plant safety systems were all working in accordance with their designs.

The spokeswoman stressed that the incident was a minor one, but nevertheless was one which the company was taking seriously.

She added: "Dupont would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to members of the public as a result of being asked to stay indoors or motorists who were re-routed."