Anger as cars left covered in dust

Dozens of angry residents living near an aluminium factory in Staffordshire woke up to find their cars and gardens covered in a white dust.

People living in the Norton Grange area of Norton Canes claim the unknown dust had damaged car paintwork and glass.

The residents, who live close to the Norton Aluminium foundry, have now demanded a full investigation into the workings of the factory after what they claim have been years of problems.

They have also called on the company to pay for any repairs which may be needed. One resident Robert Oddy said: "I woke up on Sunday morning and I looked out and I thought it was snowing.

Mr Oddy, , who has lived in Norton Grange since 1971 added: "I went outside and I could see the car was smothered with it. We didn't know what it was but it seems to have burned itself into the windscreen and the bodywork."

Fellow resident Stephen Hawkins, a homeowner in the area for 32 years added: "Whatever it was embedded itself in the cars and it covered the whole area. It was just like a snow storm. We couldn't get anyone from Cannock Chase Council to come out."

Valerie Brabazon, aged 59, said she feared for people's health saying: "We don't know what this is and that is worrying. I have my grand children stay every other weekend and they play out in the garden and I want them to be able to go outside and be healthy but you don't know what they might be breathing in."

A representative from Norton Aluminium visited residents on Sunday morning. The incident is likely to cause further division between residents and the factory which has been embroiled in a recent public inquiry over its licence to operate issued by Cannock Chase Council.