Firefighters were called after mercury spilled in a kitchen sink in a Bucks village.

Crews and an officer from High Wycombe were called out to King Street, Piddington, at 2.04pm yesterday (May 10) to reports of the substance spilling out from a thermometer.

They used two sets of breathing apparatus, the mercury was contained in a spill kit, and the area ventilated.

Firefighters also gave advice.

Mercury is a highly hazardous chemical and exposure to it can cause serious health problems, including toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.

It is considered by the World Health Organisation as one of the top ten chemicals or groups of chemicals of "major public health concern".