FRESH misery has been heaped on recycling chiefs in Bolton.

Bosses in charge of kerbside collection schemes were on Friday battling to resurrect the waste paper collection service after a fire gutted the HQ of Paperchase, the company responsible for implementing it.

The blaze destroyed machinery used to collect paper into bails at the main base on the Cambrian Business Park in Derby Street, Bolton.

Now the immediate future of the recycling scheme - which involves white bags filled with old paper being collected from outside homes - is uncertain.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "We envisage the paper collection scheme will be seriously disrupted for the rest of the week, but we are doing everything possible to ensure residents are provided with regular updates, support and information in order for them to continue recycling."

The kerbside paper collection scheme forms part of Bolton Council's controversial recycling regime, which sees grey wheelie bins collected once every two weeks, and recyclable goods collected on the alternate fortnights.

Last week the Bolton Evening News revealed how 100,000 calls have been made to a special helpline set up to answer the questions of residents confused by the recycling scheme.

Fire crews were called to tackle the blaze at the factory at 4.50pm on Thursday as the building went up in flames.

At the height of the operation, 70 firefighters were involved.

A number of gas cylinders were discovered inside the building, so nearby premises were evacuated as a precaution.

Firefighters were at the factory for more than 24 hours to ensure the gas cylinders were safe and that the blaze did not reignite.

A specialist investigation team has been called in to try to establish what caused the fire. Firefighters were still at the scene on Thursday night since building inspectors have deemed the building unsafe.

Police forensic investigators were arriving this morning to determine the cause of the fire.

It is believed there are piles of sodden paper still ablaze inside the building.

Residents who would normally expect a recycling bag collection in the next few days are being advised to retrieve bags from the kerbside and keep them, along with the contents at their home, or use their nearest recycling site.

Call Bolton Council on 01204 336632 for more details or further assistance.