A SPOKESMAN for The Palace nightclub has confirmed it is "business as usual" following yesterday's chemical incident at the Penel Orlieu nightspot.

Hundreds of revellers are expected to see internationally renowned DJ Lisa Lashes tonight, who will continue with her scheduled set.

Police closed the road at around 10am yesterday morning to allow police and fire crews to investigate the incident after cleaners discovered a chemical had been released through the club's letterbox.

Police had warned people to stay away from the area following the incident as there was a risk to the public.

Fire crews from Bridgwater and across Somerset and a decontamination unit from Bristol attended the scene to carry out a thorough investigation - for more photos of the scene, click on the Related Link, right.

Neighbourhood inspector Nic Crocker has confirmed that the chemical involved in the incident was the cleaning agent formalin.

He added Police were forced to cordon off the area as it posed a risk to public safety.

He said: "The Police regret any decision of road closures that could cause disruption but this incident was considered to be serious and dangerous enough for the area to be cordoned off.

"We are still carrying our enquiries to what is considered to be a serious incident."

He also confirmed that six people required medical attention from on-scene paramedics but none required hospital treatment.

The road had been closed for around eight hours before it was reopened to the public.

Palace owner Clive Lilley was alerted to the incident after cleaners discovered the chemicals this morning.

He said: "It is a real shame it has happened. The chemical gave off a really strong smell and made your eyes smart.

"I was on the phone to the police straight away. It seems as if it has been poured through the letterbox in the early hours of this morning."

A Palace spokesman said the nightclub is now open for business following today's events and the scene has been cleared and neutrilised of the cleaning agent.

If you have information on the incident, call the newsroom on 01278-727960 or add it to this page by filling in the Your Say box.

For a full report, see Tuesday's Mercury or watch our video report located within this story.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious at the scene since 3am this morning is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800-555111 or police in Bridgwater on 0845-4567000.