The social impact of land contamination: reflections on the development of a community advocacy and counselling service following the Weston village incident.

Five years ago the village of Weston in Cheshire was affected by one of Britain's largest community-based land contamination incidents. The need for some form of community-based service incorporating social support and advocacy was identified and North Cheshire Health Authority in collaboration with the local community trust developed an advocacy and counselling service within the village. This article presents reflections on this highly complex service by reviewing the Weston incident, its management and possible lessons for public health practitioners dealing with similar incidents.