OFFICIALS at Hexham's EGGER site have issued reassurances to its surrounding residents in advance of plans of testing the factory's alarm systems.

Alarms at the manufacturing plant are scheduled to sound on April 18, between 11am and 12 noon.

The testing will involve three different sounding alarms: the toxic alarm, the evacuation alarm and the all-clear alarm.

Local residents may hear either an intermittent alarm sound or a constant alarm sound.

An EGGER spokesperson said: "EGGER is carrying out these tests as part of the procedures in place to keep all staff safe.

"EGGER needs to ensure that all of its employees are aware of the sounds made by the  different alarms, so that, in the event of an emergency, they can respond appropriately.

"Members of the public do not need to take any action when hearing the alarm testing."