A WORKER at Amtrak Express Parcels, Rawtenstall, was taken to hospital after coming into contact with what was believed to be a toxic substance.

Firefighters were called to the premises off St Mary's Way at 3.15am yesterday . Sub Officer Trevor McCoy said a container similar to a small cement bag had broken open and a quantity of white powder had got on to the worker's skin.

The employee was washed down and then taken to hospital.

Mr McCoy said: "We checked with the chemical authorities. The substance turned out to be a chemical product use as a dye in road markings. Although it would be dangerous if ingested it caused the worker no harm."