Residents evacuated after factory blaze

Residents have been evacuated after a blaze at a rubber factory in west Lancashire spread thick fumes into the atmosphere.

More than 100 firefighters fought to bring the fire under control at the factory in Appley Bridge near Wigan.

People in surrounding houses were evacuated while those living up to four miles away were asked to keep their windows closed because of the risk of toxic fumes.

The fire is thought to have broken out at around 0400 BST at the Rubroid Factory, which makes roof felting. Police closed the road.

Inspector Janet Edmundson from Skelmersdale Police advised people to avoid the area.