Ananova:

BSE-contaminated chemicals which went missing when a waste processing plant exploded into flames could have leaked into the water supply.

Seven drums of organic waste from the Ministry of Agriculture have not been found since the chemical factory in Sandhurst, Gloucester, went up in a fireball.

Environment Agency officials have admitted they had not even realised the infected chemicals was being stored, allegedly illegally, at the site.

The matter came to light when seven more 25-litre drums of BSE-contaminated chemicals were found while they were assessing the impact of the explosion last week.

Agency managers claim the potential danger from the missing chemicals is "infinitesimal".

They listed a catalogue of hazards in the aftermath of the blaze to a meeting of 250 angry Sandhurst villagers.

The dangers include: A drum leaking potentially cancer-causing chemicals into water including hydrogen sulphide, arsenic and cadmium. Environment officials said it is more dangerous trying to move it

The threat of chemicals being washed away by rising floodwater from the river Severn nearby as Gloucestershire is once again under a flood warning. Part of the burned factory site has already been inundated with torrents of water

Most toxic chemicals which are not fire-damaged have been moved to higher ground at the CSG base - but they are still only one metre above rising floodwater

A cloud of phosphorus chemical which reacted with water when it was spilled during the clean-up operation. Villagers have complained that they felt burning in their throats after the incident.