A SPILLAGE of digestate occurred after a tanker lorry developed a leak at Sourton Down on Monday.

Digestate is the material left over following treatments of agricultural manure, slurry, food waste and sewage sludge. It is commonly used as a fertiliser or soil conditioner.

Two appliances from Okehampton were mobilised to the services at Sourton Down following a call received just before 9pm on Monday night. The environmental unit from Crediton was also called to the scene.

Upon arrival, crews confirmed one articulated tanker was in the car park and was leaking its contents from a pressure relief valve. The vehicle was carrying approximately 27,000 litres of digestate.

Portable dams were set up to contain the contents of the tanker, and crews used environmental packs to absorb the spill. The tanker company was contacted and the digestate was decanted into a second tanker sent by the firm.

The Environment Agency was informed of the spill.