A TANKER filled with hydrochloric acid overturned and caused eight hours of Traffic chaos through Colne yesterday on the busy North Valley Road.

The incident happened shortly before 10am, close to the junction with Vivary Way, and the road was closed until the tanker was removed eight hours later.

Traffic was diverted at the North Valley roundabout through Colne town centre, which caused tailbacks along Albert Road.

Tanker driver Mark Ashmore, 29, of Inkersall, Chesterfield, suffered minor head injuries. He was working for Ian Ashmore Bulk Liquids.

Firefighters were called to the scene to ensure the potentially dangerous acid from the vehicle did not spread.

The substance was contained within the first hour but two fire crews from Colne and one from Burnley continued to help with the clear-up operation throughout the day. The incident support unit from Accrington and the environmental protection unit from Burnley also attended.

Sub officer Nigel Clark, from Burnley, arrived on scene within 25 minutes of the accident.

He said: "The tanker contained 17,000 litres of diluted hydrochloric acid which is extremely corrosive. If you spilt it on your shoes it would quickly burn through them. Our main concern was the acid getting into water and the river courses nearby so we had to contain it first.

"There was a bit of a leak from the tanker so we put absorbents down to soak up the spillage, of about half a litre, and put a barrier up around the vehicle.

"A recovery team had to try to empty the contents before a recovery firm could pull the vehicle upright. It took a considerable amount of time and we stayed at the scene as a precaution. No-one was hurt either in the accident or in the clear-up operation."

Pat Clamp, a sales assistant at R and C Huggett newsagents, in North Valley Road, said: "Police were having to direct the traffic around the roundabout along North Valley and towards Rigby Street as an alternative route. I only work in the afternoon but people coming into the shop were saying it had been as bad all day."

The North Valley Hotel, which is in the middle of the roundabout, was due to open for business at noon but the landlord was asked to wait until 2pm, when the acid had been contained, and to keep all his windows and doors closed during that time.

Staff at Physique Training and its gym Natural Progression, in Vivary Way, were evacuated from the buildings as a precaution and the gym remained closed for the rest of the day.

An employee said: "It has been chaotic, with queues of traffic heading towards the roundabout and in the opposite direction along North Valley Road."

Exposure to hydrochloric acid can cause a range of health problems, including conjunctivitis, dermatitis, skin burns, a feeling of suffocation, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Ingestion or skin contact with hydrochloric acid can cause gastric haemorrhage and intense thirst.

Police said the Environment Agency was investigating the incident. Officers will also inspect the vehicle as part of on-going investigations today.