FOUR police officers were being treated in hospital today after a man apparently died from exposure to an industrial chemical.

The officers are under observation at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary following the incident at Berwick upon Tweed in Northumberland last night.

A man, who has not been identified, was discovered seriously ill in a car parked in a lay-by at Cocklawburn Beach shortly before 8pm.

A metal container in his car appeared to be letting out a noxious substance, described by police as an industrial chemical.

The man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but died on the A1 in Scotland en route to the hospital.

Northumbria Police said concerns were then raised about exposure to the substance of police and emergency staff who came to help the sick man.

Four Northumbria officers were taken to hospital for observation and a stretch of the A1 was closed for decontamination to be carried out.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Northumbria Police and Lothian and Borders Police are continuing to work together on this incident.

"The risk of contamination is limited to direct exposure and there is no risk to members of the public.

"Officers are currently working to establish the identity of the deceased man."