TWO leaking drums of toxic chemicals, which melted a young boy's shoes, mysteriously vanished as a probe was launched to identify who had dumped them on land in Radcliffe.

The two one-tonne containers had been tipped on land at Bealey's Industrial Estate two weeks ago and caused a chemical scare on August 21 when a youngster accidentally walked through the leaking toxic liquid causing his plastic trainers to melt.

Bury Council's public health enforcement team turned out the following day and left the site off Dumers Lane at 4.25pm after arranging for the chemical containers to be removed and for the contaminated land to be cleaned. Contractors arrived at 8am on Wednesday only to discover the drums had disappeared.

Melanie Walsh, from the council's enforcement team, said: "Whoever dumped or collected the containers would need a flatback truck with a lift system of some sort. There is no other way these drums could have been moved.

"We are looking at CCTV footage at Bealey's Industrial Estate but we would also like to hear from any residents who may have seen the containers either being dumped or collected.

"This could help our investigation to identify these environmental criminals and to help prevent this happening again."

Anyone with information can contact the enforcement team on (0161) 253 7961 or 253 7423.