FORTY firemen spent three hours fighting a blaze at the Total Bitumen works in Golborne.

The fire destroyed the incineration plant and caused damage to about a quarter of the former Kelbit factory on Edge Green Road.

Fire engines were present at the scene overnight and the next morning as a precaution. Workers were on site at the time and it is thought a process had gone wrong, but the exact cause is still under investigation.

A company spokesman said: "Total has launched a full investigation into the fire, the cause of which has yet to be determined."