Smoke has filled the skies of Bedford and Kempston on Monday evening after a fire broke out in a derelict factory.

The blaze at Forrester Foods factory in Dallas Road, Kempston, began at around 8.30pm.

Witnesses have reported seeing smoke from as far away as Sharnbrook.

Firefighters are currently at the scene, with 14 appliances from Bedford, Kempston, Ampthill, Harrold and Stopsley. The aerial platform is in attendance.

Firefighters have had reports that children had been playing in the area of the factory, but these are currently unconfirmed.

One resident of Spring Road said: "We have no idea where it all came from, but there is smoke everywhere.

"The traffic is horrendous. It is obviously something major."

This is the 18th time in six years that firefighters have been called to the derelict building.

The business closed in 2002, and the most recent blaze in May destroyed around 75 per cent of what then remained of the building.

On that occasion fumes from burning materials were toxic and people living in neighbouring homes were asked to keep their windows and doors closed during the blaze.