FIFTY 999 calls were made to the fire service about a fire involving 200 tonnes of agricultural tyres in North Dorset on Thursday night.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said they were called to Rifles Lane in Shaftesbury at 7.10pm.

Plumes of thick black smoke could be seen from miles away.

Residents were advised to keep their windows closed if they were in the area.

Two crews from Shaftesbury attended along with firefighters from Gillingham, Tisbury and Poole, supported by water carriers from Yeovil and Poole.

Five main jets, one hose reel jet and two foam jets were used to extinguish the blaze.

The fire affected an area of around 40m x 20m.

The stop message came through at 9.44pm, however one pump from Sturminster Newton remained on the scene through the night.

One crew from Wimborne is on site today.

An investigation into how the fire started will be held today.