A MALE employee at Wellington Sports Centre is recovering after a chemical spill last night.

The employee, who has not been named, was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton after hydrochloric acid was spilled. The employee was released a few hours later.

The centre remains shut this morning, as an investigation to find out how the deadly acid was released was launched.

Crews wearing gas tight suits tackled the spillage using soda ash to neutralise and soak up the chemical after two fire engines from Wellington, supported by a further two from Taunton, an incident support unit from Taunton, and a command support unit from Wiviliscombe were called to the scene at 9.46pm yesterday evening.

Four people were treated by ambulance paramedics due to inhalation the chemical at the incident.

The area was made safe just after 11pm.

Wellington Leisure Centre manager Dan Webb told the WWN: "We've spoken to our employee and he's not feeling 100%, but better than he was last night."

Theresa England, operations director for Tone Leisure, which runs the centre on behalf of Taunton Deane Borough Councvil, said no customers had been affected by the incident.

"One member of staff was taken to hospital for observation, and was released last night.

"No other staff were affected."

She said an investigation was taking place to establish the exact cause of the incident.

The centre is due to re-open later today, after all traces of the harmful product have been removed.

She added: "We would like to thank the emergency services for their prompt action, and our staff for ensuring that our emergency plan was implemented to ensure customer safety."