31 August 2010 Last updated at 08:44 ET

Fire breaks out at plastic recycling plant in Bolton

Crews are expected to remain at the scene for several days

Sixty firefighters have tackled a blaze at a recycling plant in Bolton which broke out in the early hours.

Crews were called to Armstrongs Environmental Services in Mansell Way, Horwich, at 0205 BST.

Hundreds of tonnes of waste were alight in a large storage building. The fire was brought under control by 0500 BST.

Four fire engines and an aerial platform remain at the scene. Crews are due to stay at the site for the next few days, the fire service said.

A plume of smoke could be seen across Horwich from the M61 motorway.

Residents have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

Group commander Tony Lander said: "This is a fairly significant fire for us.

"It is going to tie up quite a lot of resources over the next two to three days."

He said an investigation into the cause of the fire was under way and said it was too early to speculate on the likely cause.

It is the third fire at the site in the last two years.