CONTAMINATION experts have been drafted in to investigate the risk posed by excavating a site known to contain victims of anthrax.

Persimmon Homes is currently demolishing dilapidated farm buildings on land at Quarry Farm, Ingleby Barwick, to make way for a golf course and restaurant development approved in principle by Stockton Council in October.

But before the site can be fully excavated, Persimmon Homes must locate the exact whereabouts of anthrax pits discovered by county archaeologists in the Seventies.

A cow, which died of anthrax in the early Sixties, is also known to be buried on the land.

Communicable disease experts and health and safety chiefs claim the risk of harm posed to the public or to site workers during excavation would likely be minimal.

However, as anthrax spores are relatively hardy and remain active for decades, precautions to reduce infection by inhalation or through skin abrasions is recommended for site workers.

Jeff Fairburn, managing director of Persimmon Homes North-East, assured the D&S Times that expert advice was being sought.

He said: "We are working in close partnership with Stockton Council, Defra, the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive.

"We have appointed Waterman Environmental, which has extensive experience in all aspects of contaminated land, to investigate the site further.

"Our experts are carrying out further consultations to determine as accurately as possible the location of the burial reported by the farmer. We will then organise for the area to be carefully excavated by a specialist contractor under the supervision of our experts.

"Once these initial investigations are complete, Persimmon will undertake any necessary actions in accordance with procedures approved by Defra.