A drum containing a corrosive chemical has been taken away for disposal after washing up on Crantock Beach.

Firefighters from Newquay were called out this afternoon after a 25 litre drum containing Potassium Hydroxide solution washed up on the shoreline.

A spokesman said that the crew believed the sealed container still held 20 litres of Potassium Hydroxide solution.

RLNI Lifeguards assisted in bringing the drum to a safe area where it was contained within an overdrum for the local authority to collect.

The chemical can be harmful to people.