RESIDENTS have been evacuated and advised to stay away overnight as fire crews battle the Kidderminster factory fire.

People living nearby have been told to stay away overnight with friends or relatives by fire chiefs as the fire continues to rage.

A rest centre is also available at Wyre Forest House to help affected residents.

Fire crews remain at the scene and will continue to fight the blaze, which is in two large industrial units, throughout the night.

Around 100 firefighters and 20 fire appliances are at the scene, with crews drafted in from across Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands to help Hereford and Worcester crews.

Kidderminster residents are still being urged to keep windows and doors shut and to avoid the area.

A spokesperson from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are currently dealing with a large fire in Park Street, Kidderminster.

"The call came in at 14:51 and crews from Wyre Forest, Droitwich, Bromsgrove, Worcester, Pershore, Redditch, Malvern, Leominster (Water Carrier), Tenbury Wells, Ross-on-Wye are on the scene.

"Around 20 fire appliances and around 100 firefighters are at the scene as well as multi-agency partners from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Mercia Police.

"The fire is in two large industrial units and there are several seats of fire.

"Residents have been evacuated and are being requested to stay away overnight with friends/relatives if possible or there is a rest centre at Wyre Forest House.

"Kidderminster people are asked to keep their doors and windows closed and avoid the area if at all possible as traffic is still very heavy.

"Firefighting is expecting to continue overnight."