A blaze at Viridor Waste Managements recycling centre in Trafford Park caused chaos this afternoon.

The blaze which started about 3-30 in a shed where paper and cardboard are stored for recycling, sent clouds of arid black smoke and charred paper into the air which was blown across the Manchester Ship Canal towards Salford. The companies vehicles returning found they were unable to return to the yard and have been forced to seek alternative arrangements at the good will of other companies in Trafford Park.

At present no one knows what started the blaze that had at least six fire engines at the scene including a high platform vehicle