Wiltshire firm offers to take Averies fire rubbish

The fire broke out on 21 July creating large amounts of smoke

A firm has offered to help a fire-hit recycling depot in Swindon by removing and treating some of its waste.

The blaze at Averies has been burning for three weeks with fire crews so far unable to put it out due to its size and lack of space to tackle the source.

Hills Waste Solutions said it was working on a potential solution with those in charge and awaiting a reply.

The council wants to move waste to a disused park-and-ride site but local residents are against the plan.

Some 5,000-10,000 tonnes of burning waste is thought to be involved in the operation, which is being overseen by Swindon Borough Council and the Environment Agency.

Fire crews have been unable to extinguish it due tos size and a lack of space to tackle the source.

The council wants the former park-and-ride site to be used to store the sodden rubbish

The joint authorities in charge said they were exploring a range of options which would allow waste to be moved from site.

But use of the former Groundwell park-and-ride site remained "the least worst option" and "no other more suitable sites have as yet been identified".

The council says the waste cannot be taken to landfill or a specialist facility because the material belongs to Averies Recycling.

Despite this, Labour councillor Mark Dempsey is calling for Averies to be "ordered to transfer the waste to a permitted waste management facility".

He said Hills Waste Management was willing to treat the waste and Averies "should be told to cover the costs of this action".