STAFF at Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Primary Care Trusts have returned to work following a two-day closure of their Wesham headquarters.

Around 200 administrative staff returned to their Derby Road workplace on Thursday (August 8) after extensive tests were carried out following staff complaints of illness including headaches, and a noxious smell in the building.

The complaints prompted an occupational health report, which was presented to Trust bosses last Monday night -- and staff were sent home the following day.

But according to a Trusts spokeswoman, careful monitoring by environmental agencies since has so far proved "inconclusive".

Julie Goulding, chief executive of Fylde Primary Care Trust told staff this week that bosses took seriously any threat to staff health.

She added: "Only when all our extensive tests all proved negative were we willing to allow staff back into the building. Even now we are keeping an open mind.

"Monitors have been placed in strategic areas throughout the building. They detect minute levels of gases in the environment and if there is any change emergency measures are in place to evacuate staff immediately."

Dr Steven Gee, a consultant in communicable disease, said every precaution had been taken once the occupational health report was received.

Steps included clearing drains of organic waste and flushing them out, and plans to improve the air quality around photocopiers and printers.

"We are taking this issue very seriously indeed and the measures we have now put in place will not only help us monitor gas levels in the building but also improve the environment for all our staff."