'Glitter' showers onto steel town

The Corus steel plant dominates the Port Talbot skyline

A glittering substance falling from the sky has led to complaints from people living near a major steel plant.

Corus launched an investigation after Port Talbot residents said the material showered onto streets for almost an hour on Thursday evening.

The steel company said it was kish, a type of carbon released when molten iron is cooled too fast, and although not toxic, it should not have escaped.

The company also went out to speak to householders and to offer reassurances.

Neath Port Talbot Council said it had received a number of complaints.

I've got a white cat and she was covered in it Port Talbot resident Judith Bevan

Teacher Judith Bevan said: "I was walking home about 7pm and it just looked as if it was raining glitter.

"When I got back to my house some of my neighbours were outside and asking what was happening.

"It carried on for about three-quarters of an hour to an hour. I've got a white cat and she was covered in it.

Warm weather

"It's been happening on off for about three weeks but we've never seen it raining down before.

"I telephoned Corus to ask for advice. It's ridiculous in this day and age that it was not kept inside."

A Corus spokesman said it was carrying out an internal investigation into the release of the kish from the plant to prevent it happening again.

The county council said: "Kish consists of graphite and occasionally results from certain activities within the steel works.

"It is a shiny, glittery substance that is most likely to be emitted in warm weather conditions.

"The complaints have been passed on to the Environment Agency, which regulates activities at the steelworks."