FEARS that Melton is being invaded by giant Eskimos can be laid to rest today as the Evening Star reveals the truth about the massive wooden igloo that has popped up on the village's industrial estate.

FEARS that Melton is being invaded by giant Eskimos can be laid to rest today as the Evening Star reveals the truth about the massive wooden igloo that has popped up on the village's industrial estate.

The building, at Suffolk County Council's Highways department's base in Melton, looks like it should be made of snow and will, in fact, be at its busiest during this winter's coldest conditions - housing the salt used to grit the roads.

The enormous 12m high dome has been intriguing passers-by who have spotted it looming over the industrial estate, and entertaining passengers on the Lowestoft to Ipswich rail route which runs alongside it.

The wood will eventually be covered over in grey material and it will be one of only two salt domes in Suffolk. The other is in Mildenhall.

Andrew Gutteridge, Suffolk County Council's road and bridges manager said: "The main reason for building it is for environmental purposes. Previously we have stored salt out in the open and the rain washes it down into the ground and into the rivers.

"It also means we will be able to spread it more easily as it won't go lumpy like it does when it is exposed to the rain."