FIREFIGHTERS had to battle for two hours today to control a blaze at scrap metal yard on the Medway City Estate.

The blaze, at European Metal Reycling in Whitewall Road, Strood, involved five tonnes of scrap metal.

It is believed staff at the site alerted the fire brigade and - with Strood crews on Channel Tunnel training exercises - two pumps from Thameside were first on the scene at 10.45am. Pumps from Medway and Chatham later joined them.

Firefighters used breathing apparatus to get the fire under control, stopping it spreading to buildings in the area. Nobody was hurt in the incident.