A MAMMOTH effort from Firefighters after a huge fire took hold on the Flusco recycling centre.

Crews were called to action just after 3pm on Sunday to the report of a large fire at the centre.

The huge fire was billowing smoke which could been seen from a distance.

The crews were battling the blaze for about five hours.

Firefighters from Penrith, Appleby, Lazonby and Keswick were all at the site. They were also supported by staff who work at the recycling centre.

Crews believe that it was started accidentally and are investigating how it started. To quell the flames crews used three main line jets and one hose reel jet.

They also had the water bowser which can transport tonnes of water to a scene.

A spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service3 said: "At 3.02 pm on June 20, five fire engines along with a bowser attended an incident on a site at Flusco.

"The fire involved a large quantity of waste, which was well alight and measuring about fifty metres by one hundred metres. Firefighters used three main line jets and one hose reel jet and were in attendance for about five hours."

A special thank you has been offered to the staff at the Flusco site as it has been said that firefighters wouldn't have been able to complete the job without them.

Staff were able to use the heavy machinery to help starve the fire of oxygen thus helping crews finish the five hour battle.

It has been confirmed that there will be further investigation although they believe is was an accident.