A REPORT into a long-standing quarry has revealed it could be heavily contaminated.

North Quarry, 500 metres from the town centre of Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, has been found to pose a potential health risk.

An independent report commissioned by Chester-le-Street District Council reveals that the risk of ground contamination at the site is "medium to high" and that chemicals are polluting a nearby stream.

The council ordered the report from White Young Green consultants after an Environment Agency survey revealed it was worried about the levels of potential pollutants.

George Mansbridge, the council's economic development officer, said: "The site has had a number of uses over the years and has a heavy industrial heritage, and this appears to account for the variety of waste at the quarry.

"We need to know the nature of the contamination, particularly in regard to the local water course.

"We can't really make a decision on how to tackle the site until we've made a fuller investigation.

"We are now working closely with the Environment Agency to undertake a closer look at the problem."

Ordnance Survey maps show a brick works at the site as early as 1862 and a clay pit in the 1950s.

The council's executive committee meets on Monday and it is expected meetings with the Environment Agency will be set up.