SEVERAL roads were closed last night after a major chemical spillage in the Haverton Hill and Portrack Lane area of Stockton.

Six fire appliances, two emergency tenders and an environment protection unit from Cleveland Fire Brigade were called after a tanker spilled what was believed to be sodium cyanide in two locations, on the corner of Haverton Hill Road and New Road, and on the Portrack roundabout, at about 8.20pm.

After consultation and agreement with the Environment Agency and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), firefighters swilled the areas clean and the roads were re-opened just before midnight.