Up to 30 firefighters tackled a blaze which broke out in 50 tons of rubbish in the courtyard of an industrial estate in Walsall.

Crews from across the Black Country were called to the fire at Alma Works, in Darlaston Road, Darlaston.

Building materials and pallets in a courtyard caught fire at around 3pm yesterday. Residents were warned to keep their windows closed as thick black smoke filled the air.

Police set up a cordon in front of Alma Works – an industrial estate with around eight businesses- while firefighters used jets and a hydraulic platform to tackle the flames.

While the fire was brought under control quickly, firefighters were still at the scene in the evening damping down.

Environment Agency officers were called in to take samples of the waste.