A contractor who was cleaning a public swimming pool was rushed to hospital after he had opened a barrel of chlorine and inhaled the fumes.

Emergency services were called to New Beach Holiday Park in Hythe Road, Dymchurch, on Tuesday.

They were initially responding to what was thought to be a chemical leak and arrived at 5.10pm.

Harvey Dorling, watch manager at Folkestone Fire Station, said: "They had been cleaning the side of the pool and adding chlorine.

"Coincidentally, a bloke got a raspy throat so he was treated for the effects of breathing in chlorine.

"He was just a bit incoherent from breathing in the fumes.

"Ambulance staff checked him over. He was taken to the William Harvey Hospital for a precautionary check."

Mr Dorling said the call had come through as a chemical leak so two fire engines, an incident support unit from Canterbury and two fire officers were involved.

They were stood down and a foam unit from Strood was turned back when the severity of the incident was downgraded.

A spokesman for the New Beach Holiday Park said: “The emergency services were called to New Beach Holiday Park following reports of a chemical incident.

“A contractor working in the park’s swimming pool area had opened a barrel of chlorine to use as a cleaning agent, and apparently inhaled some of the fumes.

“He was taken to hospital for observation and treatment and we understand that he is now recovering and will soon be discharged.

“The swimming pool and surrounding areas were closed to the public at the time as a refurbishment programme was taking place.

“We are currently investigating the incident in order to determine the precise circumstances of how this situation arose.”