AN investigation is continuing at Southampton docks after a chemical spill meant eight people having to go to hospital.

Two workers were detained overnight after the leak at the city's container terminal on Tuesday morning while six others were sent away after a check-up.

As reported in later editions of the Daily Echo, the container had been delivered to the freightliner terminal when a liquid was seen coming from it.

Business development manager Derek Smith said: "Our health and safety department will be doing a thorough investigation. We will be speaking to the shipping line involved as well as the container owners.

"We believe it was a loose cover or bolts covering the flange that became loose when in transit across the ocean that caused the leak.

"We don't believe our men will suffer any long-term effects.

"These things do happen occasionally but nine times out of ten it is a false alarm.''

A specialist cleaning firm was called to clear up the area after bosses realised the substance was toxic chemical cyanophenol.

The container had come from America.