Eight people have been taken ill following a chemical incident at a waste recycling site.

Emergency services were called to the Pebsham household waste recycling site in Bexhill Road, St Leonard at 8.30am.

Firefighters from Bohemia Road and The Ridge in Hastings along with the command support unit from Bexhill have been sent to the scene. Two officers, including a HAZMAT officer, are also dealing with the incident.

Sussex Police asked residents living around the waste centre to keep their windows and doors closed for six hours due to the incident.

The tip at Freshfields is currently closed and was evacuated after a strong smell of ammonia was smelt.

The eight people were taken ill and being treated by ambulance crews.

A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “Crews including paramedics from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) attended the scene.

"We treated and assessed eight patients at the site. A major incident was declared but this has now been stood down.” 

A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: "Control of the incident has now been handed to the Buildings Manager of the site. 

"The cause of the incident is under investigation."