Firefighters are still tackling the huge waste fire that broke out last night at Averies Recycling in Marshgate, Swindon.

And people with breathing problems living near the site are still being warned to keep their windows closed, despite predictions of 26 degree Centigrade temperatures today.

The town is still affected by smoke and there is a burning smell as far away as Old Town.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to the site at 5.51pm yesterday and found 1,000 tonnes of general waste and building waste, including plastic, wood and rubber, well alight. A skip lorry and various pieces of machinery were also affected.

At the height of the blaze, there were six fire engines, two water carriers, an operational support unit and an incident command vehicle in attendance. The Service was also supported by military firefighters, with a specialist appliance brought in from RAF Brize Norton to assist.

As at 7pm, there were five fire crews in attendance, from Royal Wootton Bassett, Cricklade, Marlborough, Malmesbury and Stratton, supported by a water carrier from Royal Wootton Bassett, an operational support unit from Swindon and an incident command vehicle from Stratton.

Fire crews left their strike over pay and pensions to tackle the blaze.

This attendance was reduced overnight and, by 6.30am, there were four fire crews at the scene. It is expected that firefighters will need to remain at the site for some days.

The service has been working with Swindon Borough Council, Public Health England, NHS England and Wiltshire Police, to ensure public safety. Air quality monitoring is expected to take place over the course of the day.

A fire service spokesman said: "Smoke is still rising from the site and local people have been advised to keep doors and windows closed if they are concerned about the plume, especially if they have a pre-existing respiratory condition."