Chemical drums washed up on beaches

Drums of possibly toxic chemicals washed up on New Plymouth beaches after Wednesday's flash flooding will be removed today.

New Plymouth Fire Brigade is warning people to stay away from the drums as their labels have washed off.

They said it was possible the drums were stored in a shed or on the river bank, and were swept away by floodwaters on Wednesday and then washed up on to the beaches on the incoming tide.

Three dead heifers, which were also washed down the river in the flood, were buried yesterday morning.

- NZPA