Council officials issued a warning about throwing away batteries after fire broke out in a rubbish lorry.

A Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service crew from St Austell was called to the blaze when it started in the rear of the refuse vehicle in Tregoneeves Lane, St Austell yesterday lunchtime (February 2)

The firefighters found the driver had successfully managed to contain the fire within the rear of the lorry.

The rubbish was emptied out of the truck onto the ground where the fire was put out using a hose reel.

Cornwall Council later said on social media that the fire was believed to have been caused by a battery put in a black bag.

The council warned: "Recycle old batteries at your local supermarket or household waste and recycling centre".