FIREFIGHTERS spent almost 24 hours tackling a huge rubbish fire.

More than 30 tonnes of rubbish and timber went up in flames on land off St Chads Road in Tilbury at about 3pm on Saturday.

The fire was started deliberately.

Crews from Grays and Orsett first extinguished the fire by about 5.45pm on Saturday.

However the rubbish heap started smouldering overnight and on Sunday morning a pinzgauer, or specialist off road vehicle, had to be called in from Billericay, to damp it down.

The fire service drafted in a water shuttle to deliver water supplies to the fire. 

A spokesman from Essex Police said: "Police were made aware of a fire at St Chads Road by the Fire service shortly after 3pm on Saturday, April 25. Fire are leading on the investigation."