DRUMS containing a strong-smelling liquid were found on a Newport landfill site where there are plans to build a new school.

Contractors for Welsh Water, Amec, were digging on the Glebelands site - where it is proposed to build a replacement for Durham Road Schools - to reroute sewerage pipes, when they made the discovery yesterday.

A spokeswoman for Welsh Water said: "During excavation work in the Glebelands Stadium Estate area of Newport, Amec workers unearthed several unidentified barrels. "The barrels have been sent for analysis to determine their contents.

"Meanwhile, work on the sewerage system has been put on hold until the results of the analysis are received. The results are due next week." The area has also been fenced off.

The spokeswoman said Welsh Water was carrying out a £750,000 upgrade of the sewerage system in Newport to alleviate the risk of sewerage flooding. Work started last week and is scheduled to last for 12 weeks.

John Martin, a member of the Glebelands Campaign Committee which is opposed to the school plans, said: "I was concerned last Friday when I heard they were going to dig up the area.

"I was concerned they were going to dig into contamination and got in touch with Amec. "It worries me. Something is certainly not right."

A council spokeswoman said: "£1.3 million has been allocated to ensure that the site is cleaned up and made safe for use and an independent environmental report has been commissioned by the council to give assurance that the proposed clean-up work will be effective.

"Strict planning conditions have also been imposed on the development, and the Environment Agency, Countryside Council For Wales and other independent organisations will monitor work on site.

"The health of children and adults has always been the council's priority and the schools will not be built on a site which could be unsafe."

The Children's Commis-sioner for Wales, Peter Clarke, said in October he thought plans to build a replacement for Durham Road School on the Glebe-lands site should be halted because not enough was known about the health risks of building on former landfill areas.

Mr Clarke is due to attend a full meeting of Newport council next Tuesday. The council has not yet issued a response to his statement as they say they have not received "anything official" from him.

*PICTURED: The Glebelands site which was closed after drums of suspicious liquid were found.