ENVIRONMENTAL health officers from Stroud District Council visited the site on Friday afternoon and provided the following advice to those living or working nearby.

To remove ash/debris from your garden, wear protective gloves to prevent scratches, then dampen down the debris using water and gently flush away small particles to the drain. Pick up larger pieces and dispose of these in normal household waste.

External windowsills and cars with ash deposits too small to handle should soon wash away with rain. Remaining deposits can be removed using a damp cloth which should be thrown away.

Some substances present in smoke can irritate the lining of the air passages, the skin and the eyes. Respiratory symptoms include coughing and difficulty in breathing, breathlessness, and chest pain.

If people experience these symptoms, they should seek medical advice or call NHS 111.

If you have home grown fruit and vegetables in your garden or allotment, it is advisable to wash them thoroughly before they are eaten.

Environment Agency officers have been monitoring any environmental impacts around the site and the River Frome. No significant impact has been seen on the watercourse. A milky appearance on the water related to the fire water run-off has now cleared but officers continue to monitor the water quality.

Anyone concerned about clean up costs is advised to contact their insurance company