A boy aged about six was taken to hospital after being sprayed with oil from a recycling lorry in Norwich market.

The boy and three other people are believed to have been shopping at Simons' clothes store opposite the Guild Hall.

The owner of the market stall was also sprayed with oil in the incident, which happened at about 3.40pm today.

Paramedics decontaminated the five people inside the shop and provided them with new clothing, after they were washed and their eyes were cleaned.

The boy and a young woman were taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital as a precautionary measure.

The youngster was carried out of the store in the arms of a paramedic before being placed in the back of an ambulance en route to hospital.

The road remains cordoned off by the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.

Colin Butcher, area count manager for Viridor recycling, said it collected the rubbish on behalf of Norwich City Council from the market twice a day, six days a week.

He said: 'The five people involved were all in the shop on the market. Unfortunately the hydraulic hose on the lorry burst and sprayed the people inside the shop with mineral hydraulic oil, which is non-hazardous.'

Phil Berry, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service's station manager at Carrow, said: 'We were called out to reports that individuals had been contaminated from an oil spillage. We cordoned off the area and put granules down to soak up the oil, as the ground was very slippery.'

Three fire engines were called to the scene, including the environmental unit from Sprowston.

Were you one of the people sprayed with oil? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.