Environmental health chiefs were last night continuing a probe into why a lorry spilled its load of animal waste in Keighley.

Council officers were alerted to the incident after reading about it in the Telegraph & Argus.

The Mercedes-Benz articulated bulk wagon lost part of its cargo of chicken parts at the busy Hard Ings Road roundabout, at about 2pm on Wednesday.

The driver of the lorry – who would not be named – said he had been forced to brake suddenly, causing the load to shift.

He said he had been “cut up” by a van, which had pulled in front of him.

Chicken waste was spewed across the roundabout and down the west-bound carriageway of the Aire Valley trunk road.

One lane of Hard Ings Road on the approach to the roundabout from Skipton Road was blocked as a clean-up operation was carried out, causing traffic tailbacks.

Bradford Council’s environmental health department is appealing for information from the public.

Environmental health manager Ruth Lees said: “No animal waste spillage from a vehicle was reported to Bradford Council.

“If anyone has any information about the incident, particularly concerning the identification of the vehicle involved, we would like to hear from them. Bradford Council's environmental health department can be contacted on (01274) 431000.”

Companies are not legally required to notify the Council of spillages.

Usually such incidents are reported the public or the police or fire service, but on this occasion the emergency services did not attend.

The lorry involved was unmarked and at this stage the operator’s details are unconfirmed.

Wagons carrying chicken waste regularly travel through Keighley and it is not the first time loads have been spilled.

In January this year a lorry shed its load in South Street.

On that occasion police and firefighters were called and a section of the road was closed, causing rush-hour chaos.

Bradford Council environmental health officers also investigated that incident.