FIRE crews were called to a blaze at a mill which started while controlled burning was taking place.

Firefighters said the blaze was caused when a spark or flame from the controlled burning at Perserverance Mill in Nelson spread from a skip on Saturday. Crew manager Stephen Hartley, said the fire was under control in a couple of hours.

He said: "It was a large pile of rubble and it has now been left open.

"The fire was deep seated but it was brought under control and is safe.

"We kept checking on it every couple of hours to keep it subdued and to put it out we will need a mechanical digger to dig it out."