A MAJOR operation to remove 300,000 gallons of dangerous chemicals from a disused Shanklin factory site is under way.

Work by specialist contractors to remove the cache from the former Teknacron factory in Landguard Road, Shanklin, began on Monday.

Agencies including the Island Council, the police and the Environment Agency had all expressed concern at the amount and type of chemicals left at the site, especially since vandals began to target the premises.