Chemical scare at hospital

A hospital's accident and emergency department was closed for six hours after a chemical scare.

Kent Police were called to Yalding near Maidstone just before midnight on Thursday after reports a man had been seen acting strangely.

The man told officers he had come into contact with chemicals and was taken to Maidstone Hospital.

The man was treated there, but the decision was taken to close the accident and emergency department overnight in case other people were brought into contact with dangerous substances.

Precautionary measure

Police and hospital staff had to be washed down with water and part of the hospital remained closed off until 0900 GMT on Friday.

Police officers said the move was taken as a precautionary measure in line with the information which had been provided to them.

The man was not injured and no evidence of industrial chemicals was found.