FOUR boys from New Milton suffered itchy rashes and sparked a major chemical alert when they found a drum rolling around in the surf at Barton-on-sea.

Curtis Etheridge, Ashley Hellebrand, Callum Thomas and a friend went out on Friday afternoon.

"We saw the barrel from the top of the cliff and went down to have a look," said 13-year-old Curtis.

"We went down to the beach and started playing around with it.

"Callum opened the top of it and all this liquid started pouring out. It smelt terrible. Callum is very badly asthmatic and the fumes went straight to his chest."

The boys, all year nine pupils at Arnewood School, were splashed with the thick liquid as it glugged from the rusty, red-ended drum which rolled back and forth in the waves.

"It went all over our hands and legs and started to itch," said Curtis.

He suggested telephoning the Coastguard and the fourth teenager used his mobile telephone to dial 999.

A few minutes later there were flashing blue lights on the cliff top as police, fire and rescue service, ambulance and coastguard services all arrived, along with New Forest District Council.

"We had a helicopter as well," said Curtis.

The boys walked back along the beach and up the cliff to the old golf club car park .

"We went into an ambulance and they checked us over," said Callum. "We were there for ages."

All four boys suffered a reaction to the chemical which gave off whitish fumes and caused an itchy red rash which cleared up the following day.

Ashley's mum Jane Hellebrand said: "I'm just glad they're okay."

Curtis said they had learned their lesson and would not be opening any more drums on the beach.

"We're not going through all that again," said Callum.

His mother Chris said: "It has to serve as a warning to other children."

And Sue Etheridge said: "It was lucky it didn't go into their eyes."

It is thought the chemical was a powerful industrial bleach similar to that washed ashore at Lyme Regis the previous day.

More drums were seen floating in the sea off Barton on Friday.

Hampshire police say anyone who spots chemicals on the coast should stay well clear and call them on 0845 045 4545.

First published: November 1