Residents and businesses in the Sherwood area of Nottingham have been evacuated after a major fire in a factory.

Firefighters were called to the incident at around 1.20am last night (30 July).

Around 40 firefighters tackled the blaze at the Sherwood Works factory.

A police spokesman explained:  “A number of neighbouring properties, mainly businesses including Sainsbury's, have been evacuated as a precaution.

“There is thick smoke around, making visibility difficult, and people are being advised to avoid the area wherever possible.”

Local residents have been advised to keep their windows and doors shut as a precautionary measure. Roads around the factory have been closed.

Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are already forced to undertake a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

While the overwhelming majority of premises do this, if the assessment is thought to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.