Blood tests find high level of cancer-causing forever chemical in residents near factory

Image source, Tony Jolliffe/BBC Image caption, Residents like Sam told the BBC they were shocked by their blood test results

Blood tests have found "really high levels" of a cancer-causing forever chemical in dozens of people living near a major chemical factory in the UK.

The residents, from Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, have been told they could be at elevated risk of serious health conditions from the substance, known as PFOA.

The village has been under investigation for years by the Environment Agency over contamination of soils and locally grown food from the substance, which is a type of forever chemical - so-called because they do not easily break down.

That investigation said high levels likely came from the nearby AGC Chemicals factory, which used it to manufacture coating for frying pans until 2012.