FIREFIGHTERS have finally left the scene of a blaze in Wiltshire that started five days ago.

Some material is still burning at the Swindon Skips site on the Cheney Manor industrial estate, but the brigade has decided it no longer presents a risk that requires their presence.

The fire, which started on Wednesday evening and involved 750 tonnes of building and timber waste, has been contained on one part of the site and the decision was made on Thursday to allow it to burn itself out.

Wiltshire Fire Service explained it was the most effective way of bringing the incident to a close and would avoid any environmental hazard from using large amounts of water.

Initial investigations into what started the fire were inconclusive the fire service believes the cause may never be known.

Responsibility for monitoring the Swindon Skips site was handed over to the owner and the local authority at 6pm on Sunday, but firefighters will carry out regular inspections until the fire is completely out.