A SCIENTIFIC study has been launched to get to the bottom of a chemical contamination problem at St Michael's Golf Course in Widnes.

Over coming months, experiments will be carried out on parts of the Dundalk Road facility, which was built on the site of an old chemical waste dumping ground, to discover what kind of pollutants lie beneath and to find to ways of resealing a failing land reclamation barrier which is allowing a cocktail of chemicals to leach up to the surface and into the Stewards Brook.

Experts believe the main substance contained under the golf course is a by-product of soap manufacturing known as galligu, which once formed huge mounds in the town, popularly dubbed the 'Widnes Alps'.

But while the substance itself is harmless, concerns have been raised about other chemicals which may still lurk there.

An existing vertical barrier allows clean water to pass through while blocking off contaminants, enabling the course to drain without spreading the pollutants.

The tested section will be independently monitored and assessed by scientists from the Environment Agency and the North West Development Agency.

If the trials prove successful, a wider programme of barrier building will be carried out as part of a range of land reclamation measures.

The tests, which are also taking place at a tip on Speke Road, are being jointly funded by a four-way partnership involving the council, Mowlem, Rowe Technology and Envirotreat, the company which developed the reclamation process.

St Michael's Golf Course, which dates back to the 1970s, recently won a last minute stay of execution after the council found a contractor to manage the course.

Site operator J&B Golf Management announced its intention to quit the course after suffering three years of losses.

But PGA professional Darren Chapman has agreed to run the site while a five year restoration plan is carried out. He will step into the shoes of J&B in February 2002.

Widnes could one day boast a regional training ground for future professional golfers if the vision of Mr Chapman and the council is finally realised.

Despite the contamination problems the course is visited by about 35,000 people annually.

The council is now seeking cash from the North West Development Agency to improve the condition of the turf and has applied for Lottery funding to start up a junior golf programme in conjunction with the Golf Federation.