More than 200 shoppers and 50 staff were evacuated from a Sainsbury's store after a chemical leak.

Two people were taken to hospital after the spillage at the supermarket in Gablecross, Swindon. The spill happened when around 250 litres of Perkolone cleaning fluid leaked from a machine in the Sketchley's dry cleaning facility within the Sainsbury's building.

The store was closed following the spill at 11.30am yesterday until the area was declared safe at 3pm.

The fire brigade sent three pumping appliances, one emergency support unit and a chemical incident unit to the scene. Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the store to investigate the leak.

One of those evacuated from the store was 72-year-old former air raid warden Tony Cullens, who was collecting for the Royal British Legion.

He said: "As I was standing there the smell got worse and worse. And then there was an announcement over the PA to say the store was being evacuated. All the shoppers were told to go home. It was a shame because the collection had been going well. We had people giving us notes as well as coins."

He said there was no panic and people left the supermarket in an orderly fashion.

Police were called to the store to help with the evacuation of shoppers and staff and to cordon off the area.

They also blocked off the Gablecross Road while the area was secured.

Experts from the Environment Agency were called to the scene to determine the exact nature of the spill.

One ambulance and two medical emergency response cars also attended. Two people were taken to Princess Margaret Hospital, both of them suffering from breathing problems. They are not thought to have sustained any major injuries.

Two other people were examined on the scene by ambulance staff, and were given the all clear.

Managers at Sainsbury were not available for comment today.