PEOPLE living on a new Trowbridge estate fear the area is being polluted by toxic chemicals.

Residents on Paxcroft Mead became concerned after pets fell seriously ill and one dog died.

They are worried that whatever is harming their animals could affect them, with young children and babies most vulnerable, and are calling for all spraying to be stopped.

Experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have been called in to take samples to try to find out exactly what could be contaminating the area.

Landscape contractor Elcot Ltd, employed by developer Gallagher Estates, has confirmed its sprays contain weedkillers glyphosate, isopropylamine and tallowmine. It has now been ordered to stop by Gallagher even though Gallagher said nothing harmful was being used.

Residents' fears have been taken up by district councillor Trevor Carbin.

He said: "It all appears to point to the spraying the landscaping contractors have been doing. The residents have reported that they were spraying every fortnight.

"The suspicion is that they have either been using something they shouldn't or have got the dosage wrong.

"We are now just waiting to see what the MAFF tests come up with. The residents are very concerned and fear they are being put at risk."

Mr Carbin has sent a letter to householders warning them to be careful about letting their pets out on to recently sprayed areas, and is collating information about animals falling ill.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "Our dog has been seriously ill ever since we moved here. We are convinced it has something to do with the chemicals being sprayed, and we are seriously worried it will affect people's health next."

A Gallagher Estates spokesman said yesterday Elcot would be instructed to stop all spraying immediately.

He said: "Elcot Ltd has confirmed that nothing they are using is harmful.

"They have supplied us with their safety data sheets which we have sent to Mr Carbin. Those sheets suggest that there is nothing to worry about.

"We are taking the matter very seriously and we have asked Mr Carbin to let us have any more information he can, so we can see if we can isolate where these incidents are happening."