CANCER rates among people living in Nazeing are to be investigated by health bosses after the area suffered two massive industrial blazes in the space of five months.

The timber reclamation site in Hoe Lane, on the Birchwood Industrial Estate burned for more than three weeks after catching fire in May, covering the surrounding area in a haze of smoke and ash.

NHS West Essex are launching an investigation after residents complained of breathing problems and fears for the future of their children’s health.

Liz Lawrence, who lives behind the timber site, said: "A lot of my neighbours who have lived here most of their lives have asthma, many have hay fever like symptoms that bother them all year round.

"The trouble is under national guidelines, no long-term health monitoring takes place where the population is under 5,000, so Nazeing could be a health blackspot and we wouldn't even know.

"We're concerned that not only will we get health problems, but so will our children - people have mentioned cancer and it's terrifying.

A special muti-agency meeting was called last Thusday (July 23) to discuss the community's fears over the site.

The Health and Safety Executive, Epping Forest District Council and NHS West Essex were all asked for their input.

NHS West Essex has agreed to look into the number of GP referrals for respiratry illness in the Nazeing area as well as the number of local people diagnosed with cancer.

Their findings will be published in six weeks.