A YOUNGSTER was taken to hospital at weekend after playing with a mystery powder found near his home.

Firefighters from Oswaldtwistle, who cordoned the area off and removed the powder, said the boy was playing on White Ash Lane, in Oswaldtwistle, when he came across the white powder in an unmarked container.

Firefighter Dave Berry said the youngster went home to his mother in tears and was taken to Accrington Victoria Hospital.

Mr Berry said: "The powder was on a dirt track off White Ash Lane in an unmarked container the size of a household bucket. We cordoned the area off and called out the environmental protection unit from Burnley Fire Station and the police. It is being stored at Burnley where it will be collected by the Environmental Health for tests."

Mr Berry added the powder had started to 'bubble' after coming into contact with water and after it was scooped up into special containers and the area was rendered safe.