ABOUT 20 firefighters battled for two hours last night, to bring a scrapyard fire under control.

Four fire engines were sent to the blaze, at R and H Tomlinson's scrapyard, Colliery Yard, Manor Road, in West Auckland, County Durham.

It is thought to have started in an old car, and spread to a pile of scrap which included tyres and empty gas cylinders.

Two crews from Bishop Auckland were joined by back-up crews from Darlington and Newton Aycliffe as the fire, which started shortly after 4pm, threatened to turn into a major incident.

Although officers said there was never any danger to the public, because the site is fairly isolated, acrid black smoke could be seen for some distance.

Firefighters had to wear breathing apparatus as they tackled the blaze.

Concern centred on the gas cylinders, many of which were thought to contain residual gas including oxygen and acetylene.

Station officer Dave Turnbull said: "There was lot of stuff in the pile of scrap which we were worried about. The tyres were giving off thick black smoke, but it was the cylinders which we were most concerned about.

"But the lads did a good job and we're grateful to the staff at the yard for their help."

The flames did not spread to the yard buildings and the fire was extinguished by 8pm.

A fire crew from Bishop Aucklan returned to the scene to monitor the situation throughout the night.