by Helen Fairley

A swimming pool was evacuated and a road closed after a chemical spillage.

Police and fire officers were called after excess chlorine was discovered in the swimming pool at the David Lloyd Health and Fitness Club in Barker Road, Maidstone, on Sunday, October 25.

The incident happened just after noon when six people in and around the pool were affected by what appears to be excess chlorine in the water.

Barker Road was temporarily closed by police, the pool was evacuated and six people were treated at the scene by members of the South East Coast Ambulance Service for minor irritation to the eyes. None needed hospital treatment.

The road re-opened at 12.34pm.

Inspector Steve Griffiths, who attended the scene with seven other Mid Kent Police officers, said the incident had been dealt with quickly and efficiently.

"There was minimal risk to the public and no one suffered any lasting ill-effects as a result of the excess chlorine," he said.