Blood tests have found “really high levels” of a cancer-causing forever chemical in dozens of people living near a major chemical factory in the UK.

The residents, from Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, have been told they could be at elevated risk of serious health conditions from the substance, known as PFOA.

The village has been under investigation for years by the Environment Agency over contamination of soils and locally grown food from the substance, which is a type of forever chemical – so-called because they do not easily break down.

That investigation said high levels likely came from the nearby AGC Chemicals factory, which used it in their manufacturing processes until 2012.

Sam Hammond and her husband, both from the village, have been told they were at increased risk of health impacts from PFOA. However, she told the BBC was more shocked by her son’s result.

“When we opened the results…it was like, my God, that is ridiculously off the scale.