FIREFIGHTERS tackled a major blaze at Chatham Docks where about 1,700 tons of paper at a recycling depot went up in flames.

The blaze started at round 11.45am on Wednesday and could be seen for miles around.

Five fire engines went to the scene, along with two specialist height and water vehicles. Later the blaze was said to be under control but still being monitored.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "After consultation with the site management, the paper stacks are being allowed to burn under a controlled situation. The fire is not being treated as suspicious."

Chatham Docks is part of the former naval dockyard at Chatham and occupies one of the three basins formerly used by Royal Navy warships.

It is a thriving commercial docks, handling one million tons of cargo a year, including scrap metal and waste paper.

A wide variety of businesses are also based on the 140-acre docks estate. Chatham Docks are part of the Peel Ports Group, which also runs Sheerness Docks.

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