TWO fire crews have been called out to an early morning incident near Chester which has led to a road closure.

Firefighters attended the scene at about 6.40am today (Friday, July 29) on the A5117 in Elton.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters are currently at the scene of a large vehicle fire on the A5117 in a layby just prior to the M56.

"Two hose reel jets and breathing apparatus are in use to extinguish a lorry trailer containing 20 tons of household recycling.

"Highways have been asked to attend as the truck waste is being emptied onto the carriageway and will need clearing.

"The incident is being reduced to one fire engine and police have closed the road."

In an update the fire service said agrabber truck is now in attendance and is spreading waste in a nearby layby, so firefighters can continue damping it down.

The waste company will remove the waste once it has been fully dampened down.

Temperature readings are regularly being taken using a thermal imaging camera.