Schools closed after recycling plant fire in Telford

Ten fire appliances and specialist units have been used to tackle the blaze

Schools and a stretch of motorway remain closed after a fire at a recycling plant.

Plumes of smoke were seen coming from the blaze at Greenway Polymers in Telford, from midday on Monday.

Meadows Primary, Newdale Primary and The Linden Centre in Telford were closed to pupils on Tuesday because of smoke persisting in the area.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said it expects to be at the scene for the next seven to 10 days.

It said this was to ensure the fire was completely put out, and that the site was structurally safe.

Asst Ch Fire Officer Dan Quinn, asked residents to "support us by continuing to say away from the area if possible".

One lane of the M54 eastbound was closed

A lane closure on the M54 eastbound, to allow firefighters access to the site, will remain in place until Friday.

Overnight closures of the motorway, between junctions six and seven, will be in place from 21:00 to 06:00 BST on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

The fire service is continuing to advise residents to keep their windows and doors closed.

Telford & Wrekin Council said because windows need to remain closed, the schools cannot meet Covid-19 ventilation restrictions, forcing them to close to pupils.

It said all had reverted to online learning and they would be closed again on Wednesday, with parents directly notified by the schools of any updates.

In a post on Facebook, Lawley Primary School said it would also be closed due to the fire.

• Latest news from the West Midlands

About 60 firefighters were tackling the blaze at its height.

The fire service had said bales of plastic waste had caught fire, causing the large plumes of smoke.

A fire investigation has started to identify the cause and the Environment Agency is monitoring the air quality around the site.

Crews are still damping down at the site, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said

A spokesperson for Shropshire Fire and Rescue service said: "The fire is under control, but, because of nature of the fire, at a recycling plant with lots of flammable material, there is some residual smoke today.

"There is some smoke air which residents can still smell.

"Crews are still working there today just to completely damp out the fire."