FIREFIGHTERS from across Wiltshire are still fighting the blaze at a derelict hotel that started last night. 

The fire service was called shortly after 9pm last night, after reports that the former South Marston Hotel was fully alight.

Residents in nearby areas were urged to keep their windows and doors closed due to the amount of smoke in the air.

Crews from Swindon, Stratton, Westlea, Royal Wootton Bassett and Ramsbury were called to the site, on Old Vicarage Lane.

At 8am this morning, two fire crews from Corsham and Warminster were still fighting the fire, alongside an aerial appliance from Swindon fire station. The appliance is being used to allow firefighters to tackle the flames from above.

Nobody is believed to have been injured in the fire. 

It is the second time in a week that the fire service has responded to a call in the same location.

On Tuesday afternoon, firefighters responded to reports that the building was alight but on arrival they found that it was actually a controlled fire started by contractors working at the site.

The former hotel was once a popular venue for weddings and conferences and its leisure facilities were used by many in the local area.

It was closed in July 2016 to the surprise and disappointment of staff, many of whom had worked at the site for a number of years. Some 45 jobs were lost as a result.

Just last month, the Adver reported that groups describing themselves as 'urban explorers' had gained entry to the buildings and filmed themselves moving around inside.

The footage showed the intruders in the squash courts, reception area and leafing through staff log books.

They also walked around the swimming pool which appeared to have been vandalised extensively in the 11 months since the site had closed.

While it is far too early for the emergency services to have established the cause of tonight's blaze, the evidence that vandals have been congregating in and around the building will undoubtedly form part of their investigation.

The fire at the South Marston Hotel also comes exactly one year and one day after a huge blaze ripped through another derelict hotel not too far away.

The former Madison Hotel, next to the White Hart Roundabout, was completely gutted by that fire which saw huge clouds of dark smoke billowing up in the sky across Swindon.

On that occasion, firefighters from four counties were called out to assist in what was a major operation for the emergency services.

The Madison Hotel had been closed for two years at the time of the fire 12 months ago.