STUDENTS were taken to hospital after a chemical spill in a science class.

Emergency services were called to Canon Slade School in Bradshaw just before 1.30pm on Monday.

Paramedics treated the sixth form girls, with one suffering a minor burn and from breathing difficulties, before taking them to the Royal Bolton Hospital as a precaution.

Officials said the chemical was diluted and the students were in no danger.

Police, fire service and paramedics were called to the school.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “Fire engines from Bolton North, Bolton Central and Bury were mobilised to an incident in Bradshaw Brow in Bolton.

“There were two casualties after a chemical spill in a lab and they were treated by the ambulance service.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We were called at 1.25pm to a chemical spillage of bromine in a science lesson.

“Two students were taken to hospital suffering the effects of inhalation.

“One was discharged by 3.30pm and another was kept in longer for observation.”

A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said an 18-year-old was taken to hospital with a minor burn.

She said: "We were called at 12.40pm, to Canon Slade School to reports of a chemical spill.

"Two patients were taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

"The incident is not thought to be serious."

Headteacher Alan Mottershead said: "Emergency services attended Canon Slade School, Bolton at lunchtime on Monday 15th June. 

"In a chemistry lab, a very small amount of dilute bromine solution splashed onto a student’s hand.

"She seemed to be have breathing difficulties and so she was taken to hospital, as was another student who thought that she had something in her eye, as a precautionary measure.

"The incident then produced a response from the hazard team, but the matter turned out to be far less serious, and the lab had already been properly ventilated."

He added: "The rest of the school continued to work as usual, no evacuation was required, and there was no danger to any other students or staff."