A GRAVESEND leisure centre was evacuated last night (July 24) following a chemical spill and remains closed this morning (July 25).

Firemen were called to the Cascades Leisure Centre, in Thong Lane, at 10:25pm to deal with a small chlorine spillage.

The incident was inside a swimming pool plant room and involved a chemical reaction in the system.

At the time of the spillage, the leisure centre was closed and no one was in the swimming pool, although all staff were evacuated as a precaution.

A Gravesham Council spokesman said: “The water has been replaced, the chemicals changed and suppliers are coming to site to investigate the incident.

“The pool will reopen as soon as the plant engineers have given the all clear.”

Three fire engines and a support unit spent two and a half hours at the leisure centre, leaving at 12:55am.