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 | | Thursday, 25 April, 2002, 09:58 GMT 10:58 UK Center Parcs staff clear up ash  The fire detsroyed the central plaza Staff from the Suffolk Center Parcs complex which was destroyed by fire have volunteered to clear mountains of ash from a nearby nature reserve. The fire destroyed the central plaza area of the holiday resort in Elveden on 4 April, and scattered ash over the adjacent heathland, Lakenheath Warren. Although tests have proved the ash is not toxic, English Nature is concerned that phosphorus could eventually leach into the soil and harm wildlife. Now Center Parcs staff, who are still waiting to hear whether their jobs are secure, are clearing up the Warren by hand.
Forty people a day have been joining work parties organised by the Elveden site's conservation rangers. So far, they have put in 3,000 hours work to clear the large flakes of ash from the 500 hectare site of special scientific interest. A spokesman for the complex said: "Once we had found out that the ash was not poisonous in any form, they began work. "We've had nursery nurses, waiters and all sorts helping out - it's something different for them to do. "I think they've enjoyed it." Staff continue to be paid while the complex is closed. There is no fixed date for the reopening of the site. It is thought the fire was caused by contractors working on the roof. | |   See also: Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top England stories now:  Links to more England stories are at the foot of the page. | |||||||||||||||||||
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