HUGE plumes of smoke billowed over Bury after piles of tyres were set on fire.

Crews of firefighters were called to Castle Hill Farm, in Bury, at 8pm, to tackle the large blaze. An emergency four-wheel pump was drafted in from Ramsbottom to reach the tyres which had been dumped on an uneven track.

The Greater Manchester Fire Service switchboard was inundated with calls during the evening from members of the public concerned about the dense black smoke moving across the town.