A SIREN warning system has been launched today at a controversial chemical factory in East Lancashire.

Nipa Laboratories in Oswaldtwistle is hoping the new klaxon early-warning system will ensure residents have the chance to escape if there are any leaks or accidents at its Nook Lane site.

The introduction of the new system comes nearly two years after a major chemical leak at Nipa which resulted in the company being fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £54,000 in costs.

During the incident, a large cloud of acidic gases rose above the plant, forcing more than 2,000 people indoors and damaging plantlife up to 700 metres away from the factory.

A smaller leak, also in 1998, led to the company being fined £10,000 on two charges and £11,000 in costs. Nipa site director Armas Best said: "None of the leaks should have happened. We can only say that every incident has resulted in further improvements and more investment in health and safety, as this klaxon proves."

The new system will be activated whenever there is an incident at Nipa's site which has the potential to cause harm in the nearby community.

Under the new system, which has the backing of both Hyndburn Council and Lancashire County Council, the klaxon will be sounded as soon as a potentially-dangerous incident is reported and will continue to ring every 30 minutes until the situation is resolved.

Anyone who can hear the klaxon should go indoors, shutting all doors and windows and closing off air conditioning equipment and wait for the klaxon to make a different sound, signalling the all-clear.

A newsletter has been sent out to all properties within a one kilometre radius of the site, detailing how the emergency procedures will work.

The klaxon will be tested on the first Wednesday of each month at 11am.