OIL-EATING bacteria could be used in a clean-up operation after thousands of tonnes of fuel leaked from a massive tank at Fawley refinery.

The 50,000-tonne tank sprang a leak on Friday and an estimated 15,000 tonnes came pouring out.

Most of it was pumped into another tank nearby after staff contained the leak with a high bank around the huge container.

But some did seep into the ground and left a thick oily patch on the surface.

Now bosses of Esso Petroleum, which runs the refinery, are looking at the bugs as a solution.

A spokesman said: "One option is for the affected soil to be removed for treatment in a biopile, like a giant compost heap, where the bugs will break down the oil.

"Alternatively, the soil may be left in place where the bacteria will break down the oil in situ. These bacteria are the same as you can buy from DIY stores to clean oil from driveways."

He added that the bacteria turned the oil into carbon dioxide and water and suggested that it was far more preferable than putting the oily soil into landfill.

The ruptured tank was built in 1966 and fully refurbished in 1988.

Refinery bosses were this week investigating the leak before deciding whether the tank should be replaced or refurbished.

As the investigation continued, Fawley operations manager Chris Erickson commented: "Obviously we take any spill of oil, no matter how small, very seriously.

"The good thing here is that the oil has been kept in one place and has not resulted in any pollution at all.

"We are now aiming at a full clean-up of the oil and the Environment Agency is supportive of our clean-up plans.

The company said it was only the third significant leak in the past five years as Fawley.