Emergency services have been called out to an East Ayrshire school after a chemical leak was discovered.

Two fire crews were sent to Loudoun Academy, Galston, at around 5.45pm on Monday after the automatic fire alarm sounded.

Once inside the school, firefighters found a quantity of aluminium chloride which had leaked from a container and called in a special environmental protection team and a scientific adviser.

The aluminium chloride, a neurotoxin which can cause irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory system, was safely contained and put back into storage.

No pupils were in the school at the time.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "Two appliances from Kilmarnock were sent to the incident. Crews found a small quantity of aluminium chloride leaked from a container.

"They asked for the environmental protection unit and a scientific adviser to attend. The container is covered awaiting to be placed in safe storage by the scientific adviser.

"There is no threat to the public."

An East Ayshire Council spokesman said the school would reopen on Tuesday as normal.
He said: "We understand this to be a minor incident.

"We believe the situation to be contained and the school will open tomorrow as usual. 
"No pupils were in the school when it happened."