OFFICIALS at Hexham’s Egger plant have issued reassurances to residents in advance of plans to test the factory’s upgraded evacuation system.

As part of the company’s updated evacuation system, alarm testing will take place at the site, on the outskirts of the town, throughout next week.

Tobias Zimmermann, plant director said: “Safety is our first priority on our site. With any upgrading of our evacuation system, alarm testing is required.

“We want to reassure residents that if they hear alarms sounding on our site next week, it is part of our evacuation system testing process.”