Filey beach given all clear after ‘mystery pellets’ shock

A STRETCH of beach on the Yorkshire coast which was sealed off when mysterious pellets were washed ashore was reopened yesterday after specialist investigators from the USA were drafted in.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Apr 2011, 07:00 BST

Hunmanby Gap, near Filey, was sealed off after the discovery at 1.45pm on Wednesday.

Scarborough Borough Council confirmed that the stretch of beach had reopened just before 4pm yesterday.

Chemical experts in the US were called after tests on the pellets by a specialist unit from the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Fire and Rescue Service proved inconclusive. The pellets are now believed to pose no risk.

The source remained a mystery last night, although it is thought to be a hydrocarbon salt commonly used in detergents and lubricants.

North Yorkshire Police liaised with HM Coastguard to try to find out if the pellets were from cargo that had fallen into the sea.

Inspector Shaun Sutcliffe said: “It is a complete mystery as to where the pellets have come from.

“The main concern was whether they were toxic as the area is very popular with dog walkers and families, who will be coming to the coast over the bank holiday weekend.”