A HUGE plume of smoke from a major fire in Walton could be seen from as far away as Harwich.

Firefighters battled for hours to prevent an inferno at a farm spreading to stored gas canisters.

The blaze broke out just before 3pm yesterday at barns off Old Hall Lane.

A bomb disposal team was called in after the owner confirmed deactivated shells were stored in the barn.

Paramedics said one person was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Residents were evacuated from their homes and a 300metre exclusion zone was set up.