Firefighters from across Medway spent more than four hours tackling a huge rubbish fire at one of Kent’s largest waste recycling centres.

Crews from Stood, Medway and Gillingham fire stations were called to Countrystyle Recycling Centre, in Knight Road, Strood, as 100 tons of rubbish burned.

The fire broke out at about 5.40pm yesterday after a new load of rubbish caught alight when it was added to a massive pile.

Firefighters used Ashford’s water unit to ferry thousands of litres of water from a hydrant in the centre of Strood to the site.

The water was then put in a big water dam set up on the site with hoses attached to help crews tackle the blaze.

Workers at the site were also able to help firefighters by moving piles of rubbish with diggers to stop the flames from spreading.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We think the new pile of rubbish which was dumped on the pile may have already been alight when it was put on there.

"It was a big fire and was well alight when we arrived. The guys who worked there also helped out a lot by moving the rubbish away from the fire, which helped stop the flames spread.

"Bringing the water to the site and putting out the fire took a lot of man power and in all we were on the scene for more than hour hours."

Firefighters left the scene by about 10pm.

Did you see the fire? Email your pictures to medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk.