MANAGERS at a chemical plant where a worker died after drinking cyanide, have insisted that safety is their top priority.

An inquest in Middlesbrough heard this week how Kelvin Snaith, 38, drank a 500ml bottle of the deadly poison at the laboratories where he worked. Police were about to visit his home in Bedale Avenue, Billingham, to interview him about an indecent assault on a young girl.

Detective Sergeant Ian Brentford told Coroner Michael Sheffield that the assault charge was never proved or disproved.

Home Office pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper told the inquest Mr Snaith had taken a lethal dose of cyanide, but he had also drank so much alcohol he would have been more than twice over the legal drink-driving limit. He had also taken the drug Ecstasy.

Recording a verdict that Mr Snaith killed himself, Mr Sheffield said: "It is clear at that particular time he did intend the consequences of his actions."

Mr Snaith who lived on his own, worked at Ineos Acryllics' Cassel Works site, which has since been taken over by Lucite.

A spokesman for the former owners said: "Safety is our top priority and we are constantly reviewing our procedures with regard to the storage and handling of materials in our laboratories and on our plants.

"Cassel Works is a secure site, but inevitably certain employees need access to potentially hazardous chemicals in order to do their work,"

The inquest heard that laboratory staff carried out correct safety procedures and gave Mr Snaith antidotes in a bid to revive him.