THIRTY firefighters fought a massive blaze at a Horwich factory this afternoon.

Employees and residents looked on as flames ripped through the roof of Dalton Engineering, on Gooch Street.

Firefighters were called to the scene shortly after noon and it took them more than 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

It is believed resin in a room at the rear of the premises, off Chorley New Road, had caught fire and quickly engulfed part of the building. Fire crews used a special platform to douse the flames from above after the fire quickly spread to the roof. Other firefighters wore breathing apparatus to fight the fire from inside the works.

Smoke from the coppersmiths, close to Horwich fire station, could be seen from miles around.