ANTHRAX HALL PERIL.

A VILLAGE hall contaminated by anthrax remained open for months before it was tested, an inquiry heard.

But the home of a man who died after being poisoned at the hall was sealed off despite no trace of the spores there.

Tests later showed African drums used in a class Pascal Norris, 50, had attended had tested positive for anthrax.

But Smailholm Village Hall near Kelso, where the poison was later confirmed, was still open to the public more than five months after his death, the hearing heard.

Health Protection Scotland consultant Dr Colin Ramsay told the fatal accident inquiry the village hall was only their third line of investigation.

Mr Norris made one of the drums himself and Dr Ramsay said: "The original hypothesis was that he would be most likely to be exposed at his workshop." The inquiry in Edinburgh continues.