FIRE crews spent 20 hours preventing a derelict Lydney factory from reigniting on Friday night.

Crews received reports that the historic Pine End Works, on Harbour Road, had caught alight at 8.45pm. The 14-acre site has been derelict for at least 15 years.

The buildings were reportedly originally commissioned and built by the Government in 1940 and made wooden panels for Mosquito aircraft and the Horsa assault gliders used in the D Day landings.

It is also believed it has also been the set for many films including Nick Love's film Outlaw which was shot in and around the Forest in 2007.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue said: "We initially sent four fire engines – one from Lydney, two from Coleford and one from Cinderford.

"Crews had to use breathing apparatus to control the fire and stayed on the scene throughout the night and left the following afternoon at 5.20pm. The crew stayed on to 'dampen down' the site to ensure it didn't reignite. It is badly damaged and nobody was injured. Police are investigating the cause of the fire."