Workers at a recycling plant needed medical treatment after fumes from a chemical spill left them with streaming eyes and a burning sensation in their throats.

It is thought a quantity of peroxide bleach, used for dying hair blond, was dumped in one of the waste bins at the Eastbourne Household Waste Recycling site in St Philip's Avenue.

About five litres of the toxic substance were released just after 10am yesterday as workers used a machine to compact waste.

Up to 40 firefighters from across East Sussex, including a specialist chemical unit based at Eastbourne, donned gas-tight suits to seek the source of the spill.

Nearby residents were advised to stay inside and keep windows and doors shut. Some homes were evacuated as a precaution.

Roads surrounding the East Sussex County Council site were closed.

The noxious substance was removed by 3.30pm, the area cleansed with water and the police cordon lifted.

Several people, including two firefighters, needed treatment by paramedics after complaining of streaming eyes and throat irritations.

Some were checked over at Eastbourne District General Hospital but all were later given the all-clear.

A fire brigade spokesman said today: "We don't believe more than five litres of the substance were released.

"However, with people complaining of various irritations we obviously acted carefully to ensure the source of the spillage was found quickly and safely."