A big operation was staged in Peel this afternoon to contain a chemical spillage.

Several roads in and out of the town were closed to traffic and three fire crews were sent to the scene to prevent the chemical seeping into drains.

Although not harmful to humans, the chemical is thought to pose a danger to rivers and wildlife.

The chemical was fluoroprotein foam concentrate, a surfactant used for fire extinguishing.

The substance spilled from a lorry on its journey through Peel, outside QE2 High School, and on Albany Road and Queen's Drive.

Sections of those roads were closed to traffic for some time.

two fire appliances from Peel and a crew from Douglas, a chemical clean-up trailer and three mechanical road sweepers worked to clean the highways and, crucially, stop the chemical going down the drains, as there were concerns it could be harmful to the environment. .

Roads re-opened at about 5pm.