HIGH-level talks between council leaders and the Irish government are being held over the threat posed by deadly munitions dumped off Lancashire's coastline.

County hall chiefs have repeatedly expressed fears about the dangers of the dumped weapons and arms washing up on Lancashire's beaches.

Munitions including bombs, nerve gas and arsenic were abandoned in the Irish Sea around Beaufort's Dyke at the end of both world wars.

Lancashire County Council leader Louise Ellman met government officials and councillors from Ireland and Scotland to discuss the problem.

She said: "It is important that we share all information on this deadly munitions dump and that we continue to monitor the situation and maintain pressure on the Government for a full investigation. "We know that some bombs have exploded at sea and that incendiary bombs have been washed up on beaches in the North West."

Fish caught in Liverpool Bay have revealed high levels of arsenic and engineers working on a gas pipe on the sea bed came across the massive munitions dump.

Mrs Ellman added: "Lancashire County Council has already secured the support of the European Commissioner for the Environment for a full investigation by the Government.

"The Association of County Councils, the North West Regional Association and dozens of other local authorities have also supported our calls for an inquiry.

"We will continue to work with other authorities to ensure the full facts are revealed and action is taken to deal with this dangerous problem in our seas."

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