CHEMICALS experts from the fire service had to be called to Llantarnam Comprehensive, after someone broke in and threw acid about the school.

Four fire engines, the chemical incident unit, a rescue cleanser and firecrews wearing chemical protection suits were all sent to the Cwmbran school to mop up the spillage on Sunday afternoon.

It took an hour and 15 minutes to deal with the situation. Fire service investigators conducted an investigation to establish the cause and found there had been a break-in, before a number of chemicals had been spilled.

Sergeant Ian Keenan, of Cwmbran police, said that they would be taking a statement from the caretaker of the school, before forensics officers went in to gather more information.

He added: "It seems someone broke in and started throwing acid about. "What that acid was, we do not yet know, but it could have been any of the typical chemicals found in any school chemistry classroom."