Firefighters continue to battle a blaze where a controversial 'mattress mountain' went up in flames at an industrial park.

Dozens of firefighters have been working at Smarden Business Estate, between Ashford and Tenterden, since 11.30am on Sunday to get the huge blaze under control.

The number of fire engines has been scaled back to three overnight.

An estimated 1,000 tonnes of rubbish caught fire including mattresses and five shipping containers.

Two large storage units have been completely destroyed in the fire and are now structurally unsafe.

Crews are using rakes to pull apart the piles of mattresses which were being stored outside, with concerns about deep-seated fire at the heart of the piles.

Firefighters are then using hose reels to tackle the fire within the mattresses.

Residents nearby have been told they can reopen their windows and doors again but have been advised the warning may be issued again depending on levels of smoke.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews are working in extremely tough conditions and high temperatures.

"Kent Police have closed the road close to the site and motorists are advised to take alternative routes.

"Kent Fire and Rescue Service Volunteer Response Team have been called in to support with welfare during the incident."

In 2015 there were piles of thousands of mattresses on the site, stacked as high as five metres and weighing more than 2,000 tonnes.

Last year recycler Lewis Bertram was warned he could be jailed over the eyesore.

It is unclear how much of that waste has been cleared since.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "Specialist Environment Agency officers are assisting Kent Fire & Rescue Service in response to a waste fire at Smarden Business Estate.

"The fire service estimates that around 1,000 tonnes of waste stored on the premises is alight along with other buildings on that unit.

"Our officers are busy assessing impacts to air and ensuring that the local environment is protected.

"They will continue to advise and support the fire service throughout the duration of this incident whilst carrying out investigations to understand how the blaze occurred.

"Members of the public are urged to report pollution incidents to our emergency hotline on 0800 807060."

A bulk water carrier was also at the scene and firefighters were using foam, main jets, hose reel jets and breathing apparatus to tackle the flames.

A fire spokesman said: "It's believed the buildings are used as storage containers.

"There are no reported injuries at this stage and the cause isn't known."

Smarden Road is currently closed and with little sign of the blaze dying down is likely to remain shut well into the evening.