Workers escape factory blaze

Firefighters from the Army and RAF battled the blaze

A large fire has badly damaged a factory in Nottingham.

In one of the largest fires in the East Midlands since the firefighters strike began, about 30 crew members from the army and RAF were called to the fire at Daleside Dyers and Furnishers.

It took them two hours to contain the blaze, which started shortly before midnight on Thursday.

All 40 workers on the night shift were safely evacuated from the building.

Sergeant Kenny McLaughlin, from RAF Cottesmore, said: "When we got here it was well ablaze upstairs, however the fire safety measures within the building kept the fire under control."

The company's chief executive, Kenneth Wright, said: "Everyone's out and no-one is hurt, which is the main thing."

The cause of the fire is not yet known.