A FORMER worker at a Droitwich Spa factory has called for town residents to be informed about the 'potential dangers' at a site which is situated close to the town centre.

A past employee at Baxenden Chemicals, in Union Lane, thinks the site should be named along with others as being potentially hazardous in case of an accident due to its close proximity to housing, the town centre and the railway station.

The worker who did not wish to be named got in touch with the Advertiser after reading a recent article about possible hazardous sites named by Worcestershire County Council and other safety organisations in the region.

The report named factories producing fuel and chemicals which could be targeted by terrorists or which have the potential for a major disaster similar to that at the Buncefield depot near Hemel Hempstead. The sites included The Potter Group in Kidderminster Road, Droitwich, Polymerlatex Ltd, near Bromsgrove, and Roxel in Summerfield, near Kidderminster.

Baxenden Chemicals, however, did not appear on the list, which has prompted the former worker to speak out. The ex-employee said: "I was surprised by your report that there are only two sites in the region which present potential hazards in case of accident or terrorist attack.

"Baxenden Chemicals, sited close to housing, the town centre and the railway station, is a manufacturer using potentially hazardous and flammable materials.

"Shouldn't those residents in the vicinity of the factory be advised by Worcestershire County Council with regards to this?"

A spokesman from Worcestershire County Council said that the council and the other safety organisations involved had looked at sites across the area and were aware of all such sites.

"Assessments have been carried out but only three sites have been highlighted as potentially hazardous. Plans are always changing and we are prepared to look at other sites that are brought to our attention," he said.

A spokesman from Baxenden Chemicals added: "We have not been mentioned on the list of potentially hazardous sites because we do not fall under the same safety category as the other factories. They use more serious chemicals than our site.

"We are not included on the list and that speaks for itself."