SHOPPERS and store staff had to be evacuated from a supermarket after a chemical leak from a nearby factory.

Residents in a nearby caravan park were also told to remain indoors and keep their windows closed after fears that the toxic orange cloud would spread.

Firefighters in full protective gear isolated the fume-filled graphics factory, and shoppers at Tesco had to wait an hour until the all-clear was given and the store reopened.

The incident occurred when an etching machine overheated at British Industrial Graphics in Durban Road, Bognor Regis, yesterday evening.

Maintenance workers in the building fled after they heard a loud bang and turned to see the factory quickly filling up with fumes.

Fire crews from Bognor, Chichester, and Shoreham attended the scene and police were asked to secure the area.

Assistant divisional fire officer Martin Rawson said: "The fumes were exiting through the factory's ventilation system and heading downwind towards Tesco.

Two firefighters in gas suits were sent inside the graphics factory to locate the machine, turn off all electrical power, and ventilate the building.

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