CHILDREN could have been seriously hurt by acid after dumped chemicals leaked near a well-used footpath.

Reckless fly-tippers dumped 40 drums of toxic and flammable chemicals at Northfleet Industrial Estate, close to a children's plaground.

Acid powder from one of the drums spilt out and turned liquid as rain fell - dissolving the Tarmac surface beneath.

Experts worked for more than 24 hours to contain the spill and to remove the chemicals from the site. The area is still cordoned off and the stench of burnt tarmac remains.

John Radclyffe, of the Environment Agency, said an investigation was under way and added: "This was a very serious incident with potentially horrific consequences. Clearly this was a dangerous substance which should have been disposed of in the correct and safe manner."