Firefighters tackle large blaze in major emergency operation

Eight fire engines, including a number of specialist appliances, were called to the scene on High Street at around 9pm on Saturday.

Dramatic pictures sent to Wigan Today show an enormous plume of black smoke billowing into the air and flames clearly visible from the Lidl supermarket in Golborne.

Local reports suggested the site of the fire was an industrial complex and the blaze involved tyres and pallets.

Crews from Leigh and Wigan as well as from Cheshire tackled the flames.

In a tweet Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service asked people living in the area to keep their doors and windows shut.

Residents were also warned to avoid the area.