Faulty equipment has been blamed for the spill of around 300 gallons of kerosene from a tanker lorry in the Welsh coastal town of New Quay on Thursday.

Homes were evacuated and two elderly residents were hospitalised after inhaling the fumes as the fuel poured down a narrow lane and onto the beach.

Locals expressed concern for the marine life, especially dolphins, but the Environment Agency was hopeful that sand laid to soak up the fuel, booms put in place to stop it being washed from storm drains into the sea and prevailing weather conditions would ensure the impact would not be too severe.

The agency is now considering legal action against the operator of the faulty tanker.

Sam Bond

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