FIREFIGHTERS were today facing a race against time to put out a fire which was threatening to engulf a municipal tip.

Several hundred tonnes of 'organic material' caught fire at the Whinney Hill tip in Altham yesterday afternoon sending smoke across the area.

Fire crews remained at the scene today trying to extinguish the smouldering rubbish before it has a chance to spread to the massive piles of domestic waste.

Fire officers believe the fire started by a 'biological reaction'.

Three fire crews were at the scene of the blaze this morning along with Burnley Fire Station's environmental unit.

"We are digging up the fire and putting it out as quickly as we can," said Accrington station officer John Pinnar.

"Our priority is to contain it and extinguish it before it spreads to all the household rubbish, which would cause real problems if it caught fire.

"We hope to have it put out today. If not, it could take up to a month."

The Whinney Hill Tip is used by councils across East Lancashire.