Fire crews were called to remove a tin of strong industrial strength adhesive dumped close to a popular children's play area.

The litre of glue left on stairs near the Action for Borstal Community [ABC] Project base in Mercury Close, Borstal, could have potentially poisoned anyone curious to lift the lid.

It was found at 12.30pm on Tuesday. Youth workers orders children inside and called the emergency services fearful of the danger of toxic fumes.

They took the precaution of covering the tin in sand before calling in Kent Fire and Rescue’s (KFRS) specialist chemical unit based at Strood Fire Station.

They were joined by a crew from Medway fire station.

Wearing protective clothing and face masks the tin was lifted into a protective bucket to safely remove it from the scene.

A spokesman for KFRS said: "Staff at the community centre did the right thing in covering it with sand and keeping the children inside.

“Potentially if a child had touched or swallowed the adhesive it would could have poisoned them.

“Whoever dumped the tin was very irresponsible, especially leaving it close to where children could easily find it.”

The ABC project provides support for the people in Borstal.

It offers advice and information and family support for mothers and young children. It also includes a nursery school.