A MASSIVE blaze at a recycling plant in Renfrewshire caused rush-hour travel chaos.

More than 60 firefighters spent hours tackling flames which ripped through the yard of the WRC Recycling plant in Floors Street, Johnstone, last night.

Giant bundles of plastic, packed for recycling, burned from around 5.30pm well into the night and neighbouring homes had to be evacuated.

The plant is close to the rail line between Johnstone and Milliken Park and the service was suspended during the drama. This resulted in a knock-on effect for rail services to Paisley Gilmour Street, and from Glasgow Central to Ayr, Largs and Ardrossan.

At the height of the blaze, the sky was lit up by flames and thick, choking smoke filled the air.

WRC owner Robert Capper said last night: "Thankfully it looks like the fire brigade managed to contain the blaze to our yard.

"It looks like it hasn't spread to the building, as there is a lot of expensive equipment there.

"It's just big bundles of plastic burning, but for us that is money going up in smoke."

It is not yet known how the fire started and a full investigation will be carried out.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Fire & Rescue said last night: "Over 60 firefighters from Johnstone, Paisley, Renfrew and a number of other local stations are currently fighting a well developed fire.

"Some local resident have had to be evacuated from surrounding premises."

rebecca.gray@ heraldandtimes.co.uk