FIREFIGHTING operations are continuing at a Tottington farm which was struck by a huge and devastating blaze earlier this week.

Flames raged through Bentley Hall Farm, off Bentley Hall Road, after the inferno was sparked on Tuesday night.

Two engines have remained at the farm throughout today, where crews have been locating any lingering hotspots and damping down, to ensure that the fire is fully extinguished.

This is expected to continue over tonight and in to tomorrow.

It is feared that as firefighters move and turnover the fuel material pockets of fire could start up again.

A spokesman from Bury Fire Station told the Bury Times that crews will remain at the farm "until we are 100 per cent sure the fire is out".

Fire crews were called to Bentley Hall Farm at 9:23pm on Tuesday night after "thousands of tons" of materials caught fire and the flames quickly spread.

Faced with a "wall of fire", firefighters waged "a battle against time" as they fought to stop the fire spreading to surrounding buildings — including one containing livestock.

Thankfully there were no casualties, and all the animals were safely rescued.

However, two buildings partially collapsed due to fire damage.

The fire at Bentley Hall Farm has come as Steve Wilcock, watch manager at Bury Fire Station, said his crews are "absolutely exhausted" after facing their busiest week in "15 to 20 years".

Mr Wilcock has pleaded for people not to have fires outside their homes and to take care to prevent accidental fires from starting in the hot and dry weather.