A chemical spillage alert which led to a village being virtually sealed off was caused by a farmer spilling dairy waste on the road.

Fire crews, police and environmental protection officers all rushed to Horspath after reports of a chemical spillage, at about 10am yesterday.

Residents described chaotic scenes as roads were closed off to prevent people entering and leaving the village. But after an investigation, environment officers concluded that the trail of white liquid running through the village was probably waste from a dairy.

The resident who raised the alarm had seen the liquid spilling from a tanker being towed by a tractor.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "The member of the public stopped the tractor which was towing a tanker.

"It was losing liquid but the driver drove off.

"We had to act professionally because the liquid could have been harmful."

The Environment Agency is now eager to trace the tractor driver, who could be liable for the costs of the emergency operation.

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