A thick plume of black smoke could be seen from miles away after a fire ripped through a battery recycling plant causing explosions in the Black Country.

Around 50 firefighters from across the region spent hours battling the roaring flames which climbed 100ft high at G&P Batteries Limited on the Willenhall and Darlaston border.

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A 200ft cordon was put in place around the factory unit at Crescent Works Industrial Park, Willenhall Road, as around 15 tonnes of lithium batteries and cylinders caught light.

Hundreds of people gathered on the surrounding streets to watch the drama unfold as black smoke could be seen as far away as Walsall town centre.

The fire is believed to have started at around 6.15pm last night and it was not until around 10.15pm that that flames appeared to be coming under control.

Full story in Wednesday’s Express & Star.