A builder has been hailed a hero after using a forklift to clear the entrance to a blazing factory for fire fighters.

John Butler, 64, raced into action after fire fighters arrived at the derelict Kam Circuits Factory last Thursday.

Mr Butler, whose yard is next door, said it was apparent materials blocking the entrance to the factory would hamper fire fighters, a Newsquest report said.

"I wasn't nervous. I haven't got the most up-to-date forklift, but it did the job," he said.

It took Mr Butler 10 minutes to get his forklift out of the yard and remove the blockage, and the blaze was extinguished 10 minutes later. It was not revealed what type of forklift Mr Butler used.

Leading fire fighter Rob Allen said the job would have taken much longer, and the blaze could have damaged neighbouring properties, without Mr Butler's help.

"He saved us a lot of hard work and time. It was lucky, very lucky," he said.