POLICE want to speak to anyone who knows how a drum of hydrochloric acid ended up in a cul-de-sac in Freshbrook.

The plea comes after emergency services were called to Cottington Close on Sunday after residents reported a chemical was melting the road surface.

Inspector Ian Bamber of Swindon police said the acid posed a serious threat to children playing in the area.

He said: "The fact that this drum was left in a residential area where children were playing is of great concern to us.

"It is important that anyone with any information about how the drum came to be there gets in contact with us immediately.

"We are not yet certain of how strong the chemical was but being acid it was more than likely that human contact with it would have resulted in burns."

Residents spoke of their shock as firefighters wearing protective suits cordoned off Cottington Close and nearby Gainsborough Way to clear away the hazardous chemical.

Now the Health Protection Agency is distributing leaflets in the area advising residents what to do if they came into contact with the acid.

"Hydrochloric acid is a hazardous substance, which can cause burns and breathing difficulties," said a spokesman.

He said he was not aware of any casualties following the incident.

Anyone with any information about the incident should call Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000.

"Great Western Ambulance Service is not aware of any casualties connected with this incident, but as a precaution a leaflet, containing health advice, is being issued to all homes in Cottington Close."

The leaflet says that if people had been in contact with the acid, symptoms would have occurred quickly. If no symptoms were noticed, then it was unlikely that the leakage had caused any harm.

The spokesman added: "If local residents have any concerns about their health, they can contact their GP, NHS Direct, or the Wiltshire Health Protection Team during working hours on 01380 814000."