FIREFIGHTING operations at a landfill site in Pilsworth have been in full flow today with a helicopter scrambled to the site in the effort to extinguish the remaining hotspots.

Firefighters from across Greater Manchester have been at the site since Monday with a 'major incident' being declared.

Today three fire engines remain on the scene with operations having been scaled back further overnight.

Crews are being supported by a helicopter arranged by site owners Viridor, which is dropping water onto the affected areas, and by heavy machinery operators turning over waste materials to enable firefighters to damp down any remaining hotspots.

The fire broke out at Viridor Recycling Centre on Pilsworth Road causing huge plumes of smoke across the surrounding area.

The blaze is believed to have started after a section of household waste measuring around 150m x 100m started burning at roughly 00.15am on Monday.

The cause of the blaze is still not clear.

Firefighters will remain at the scene into Thursday.