WRONG information was given to police about an escape of acid gases from Nipa Laboratories, Oswaldtwistle, a new liaison group heard.

As a result, a talked-of evacuation was stood down and it was lucky the incident did not call for an evacuation, said Environment Agency Inspector John Isherwood.

Coun Malcolm Peplow said the emergency system, going beyond Nipa, had been 'shambolic' and 'ramshackle' when put to the test early in May.

He said police were informed the release was non-toxic, yet the Environment Agency view was that it was 'quite harmful.' Coun Peter Britcliffe said he was chilled to hear how close Oswaldtwistle came to having a disaster.

Nipa site director Armas Best, said more fail-safe features had been added, making it impossible for there to be a repetition of the sequence of events of May 6. Staff had also completed re-training in emergency procedures to the satisfaction of the Agency.

Mr Best added that shift managers had been clearly instructed now not to minimise any event, but to over-react if necessary. The meeting also heard that both the police and fire brigade had had extensive de-briefings and reviewed certain procedures to deal with any similar incident.

Sheelagh Delaney, a representative of ORATE - Oswaldtwistle Residents Against Toxic Emissions - said the public needed to know details of the new fail-safes, what warnings they would get in any future emergency and how they should respond.

The setting up of the Nipa Laboratories Liaison Group, which met for the first time last night at Oswaldtwistle Town Hall, was welcomed by its members, who include local residents and councillors.

There was also a warm welcome for new regulations coming into force next year, requiring an emergency plan specific to the Nipa plant.

Nipa acknowledged its credibility was damaged by the incident, which it said it was unable to discuss in detail because of likely legal proceedings.

But Mr Best said Nipa wanted to be a good neighbour and respected in the community by being open and listening to residents' concerns.

Complaints about an unpleasant smell from the plant are to be discussed at the next meeting in January, although several members said there had been a significant improvement.

Coun Britcliffe said he welcomed Nipa's desire to foster good community relationships and it was a very reassuring start that it had sent two of its top managers to the launch meeting.

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