A COLUMN of thick black smoke was visible for more than 30 miles last night after a fierce blaze gutted a plastics factory.

Neighbouring factories on the Aycliffe Trading Estate at Newton Aycliffe, near Darlington, were evacuated as firefighters fought to control the flames at North-East Packaging.

Their task was made even more hazardous by a series of small explosions - thought to be oxygen and gas bottles used in the manufacturing process.

As a huge cloud of smoke drifted towards the town, police and firefighters advised worried householders to remain inside and keep their doors and windows shut as a precaution.

Seven fire crews attended the incident, along with two aerial ladders, and firefighters are expected to remain at the scene until this morning.

Hundreds of people headed to the estate to watch the drama - some coming from as far away as Stockton, where the smoke was easily visible.

Twenty police officers from Aycliffe and Spennymoor were drafted in to help with the evacuation and to cordon off the area.

The factory's 40 workers left the 600sq metre unit at 4.30pm, and the management locked up at 5pm.

Minutes later, a member of the public raised the alarm - reporting that the roof was ablaze. Early signs are that the blaze is not suspicious.

Inspector Simon Orton, of Newton Aycliffe police, said: "Our first concern was the safety of employees at the site and surrounding units.

"Once we knew they were safe, the fire brigade turned their attention to hosing the building down from the outside."