Two young boys were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties after a chemical spill at a sports centre.

Around 150 people were evacuated from Folkestone Sports Centre on Radnor Park Avenue on Wednesday, at 1.18pm.

Both boys were taken by ambulance to hospital after 15 litres of hydrochloric acid was spilt in a maintenance plant room.

Because of the possible danger of the diluted acid mixing with chlorine the centre was immediately evacuated.

Police officers blocked off the road and fire engines from Folkestone, Wye and Ashford attended the scene.

Firefighters wore special gas-tight suits and worked with the Environment Agency to isolate and clean up the spillage.

After an overnight stay for observations in hospital, the boys were allowed home.

The fire service left the scene at about 6.40pm and the centre was reopened on Thursday.

Tessa Stickler, spokesman for Folkestone Sports Centre said: “The staff worked extremely well and all our procedures worked.

“I would like to clarify, it was not a leak, but a human error spillage.

“It was the acid that was spilled and it did not mix with the chlorine.

“If it had mixed with chlorine there would have been fumes, which is why we evacuated the building.

“The fire service were excellent and we would like to thank them and the environment agency.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Service will now work with the Environment Agency, sports centre management and police to safely dispose of the chemicals.