PEOPLE on Teesside have been warned to expect heavy flaring from the Wilton petrochemical site over the next few months.

The Huntsman Olefins cracker plant is to undergo its first major shutdown since 1997 from today until the end of June.

Its overhaul is required by law and allows for detailed safety checks, inspections of equipment, essential maintenance and repairs.

The company says this will mean significant flaring, the burning off of waste gases, from the site near Redcar.

A spokesman said: "Huntsman will do everything it can to keep the flaring to a minimum and the company would like to sincerely apologise in advance for the flaring, which could be heavy and prolonged at times."

The spokesman said the company would like to thank people in advance for their understanding.

He said company was investing £20m in the plant and about 1,500 specialist maintenance workers would be employed during the overhaul with local people used where practical.

Huntsman has distributed almost 14,000 leaflets to local residents informing them about the flaring.