CHILDREN have been warned they could be suffering from the effects of a chemical spillage on Tyneside.

Youngsters are believed to be responsible for the spill at Rom Limited, on the Blaydon Industrial Estate, Gateshead, after breaking in at the weekend.

Staff found that drums of an alkaline substance had been emptied in a yard, when they arrived for work yesterday.

Firefighters were called to make the area safe.

A police spokesman said: "Youths may have suffered chemical burns to the skin and irritation to their eyes.

"Parents are warned that if their children came home with burns or suffering irritation, they should get them to the doctor."