A CHEMICAL scare at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital yesterday led to ambulances being diverted to other emergency departments.

Part of the hospital's A&E area was sealed off after paramedics arrived with a bus driver who had inhaled chemical fumes.

Doctors wearing chemical protection suits treated the man who had passed out after breathing in fumes from a bottle given to him by a passenger.

Ambulances were diverted to other hospitals for half an hour while specialist fire fighters trained to tackle chemical spills attended the incident at 1.30pm.

A spokesman for Merseyside Regional Ambulance said: "Ambulances were diverted as a precautionary measure in case it was an airborne chemical."

A young girl with her mother handed the 38-year-old driver a bottle of clear liquid she had discovered on the 12.45pm Selwyn's Travel bus from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Lime Street station.

The driver opened the bottle, which was labelled Apotke Lejeune, on Skelhorne Street in the city centre and was quickly overcome by fumes.

It is believed he had an allergic reaction and suffered serious breathing difficulties.

An ambulance took the man and the bottle to the Royal Liverpool Hospital where he was quickly revived.

Three fire appliances attended the hospital along with the Merseyside Fire Service's chemical support unit.

The entrance to the hospital's A&E department was taped off and ambulances diverted to Aintree Hospital.

A Fire Service spokesman last night said the substance had still not been identified.

Officers from the force contacted the United Nations' Chemsafe department in New York for more information on the liquid. Chemsafe holds records of every known chemical and has advice on how to treat people who inhale fumes.

Five passengers, including the child and woman who handed in the bottle, got off the bus and did not seek medical help.

Inspector Ray Woodhall from Merseyside Police said: "We would appeal for those people to seek medical help if they feel ill in the coming days."

The driver was in a comfortable condition last night.