Firefighters and a hazardous materials officer were called out to a roadside chemical leak yesterday.

Following a request from police to assist with an unknown chemical which was leaking from a container left on the side of the road at Coombe Hill, St Austell.

A service spokesman said that crews used breathing apparatus and gauntlets to gather information on the un-identified substance.

Adding: "Some of the chemical had spilt from the container and on consulting with the National Chemical Emergency Centre it was established that the chemical was potentially harmful to wildlife.

"Crews secured the chemical and its container in an over drum, the over drum will be disposed of by a specialist contractor."