WORKERS were evacuated from a valleys factory following a suspected chemical leak.

The alarm was raised after a suspected chemical leak of Benzyl Benzoate from Penny and Giles Ltd at Nine Mile Point Industrial Estate, near Cwmfelinfach. Staff from the factory were evacuated and crews entered with gas monitoring equipment and dust masks following the incident on Tuesday.

Fire crews from Risca, Aberbargoed, Duffryn, New Inn and Whitchurch were called to the scene.

The chemical is a skin irritant and is used in veterinary medicine alongside being present in many asthma and whooping cough drugs.