More than 200 firefighters have tackled a massive blaze at a recycling centre in Dagenham, said to be the biggest fire in London for several years.

Forty fire engines were sent to the site, which is just eight miles from the Olympic park, on Sunday afternoon.

A single storey recycling building, which is around 50 metres by 100 metres, was completely alight.

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: "We've not seen a fire of this size in London for several years. It's certainly a dramatic end to the Olympics for the London Fire Brigade.

At the height of the incident a plume of smoke could be seen across London.

Firefighters were called at 1.15pm and crews from Dagenham, Barking, East Ham and surrounding stations were sent to the scene.

No one was injured in the fire and the fire service is investigating the cause of the blaze.