SCOTLAND'S major recycling centre for farm waste plastic was devastated by fire yesterday (June 1).

The local Fire Brigade said that up to 45 crew members and nine appliances attended the blaze at Solway Recycling at Rigghead, near Dumfries. Smoke could be seen many miles away, though all of the family and workforce involved in the business have since been reported safe.

Owned by the Hiddleston family, Solway Recycling is a pioneer in recycling farm waste, turning the 'new' plastic into many useful items. Run by Roy and Sharon Hiddleston, along with their children Annabelle and Gregor, the family are also well known on the show circuit for their award-winning Suffolk flock.

Sharon Hiddleston commented on Facebook: "Following the severe fire, myself, Roy, Annabelle and Gregor would like to thank everyone for all their kind messages and offers of help and support.

"We would also like to say a massive thank to the Fire Brigade and all our neighbours who turned up with tankers to assist the fire crews. We are absolutely devastated beyond belief.

"The fire started in our workshop and quickly spread to our family home, which is now a shell – nothing could be salvaged. The main thing is everyone is safe and no one was injured. Our business, Solway Recycling is still running albeit not at 100%."