HOMES were evacuated and the village of Lasham was sealed off by an industrial fire on Friday.

The blaze at battery recycling company Loddon Recycling Ltd, on the Highfield industrial estate in Church Lane, attracted national media coverage.

More than 75 firefighters, 16 officers and several crews fought the fire and dealt with the exploding batteries and gas canisters.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.