GAZETTE & HERALD: Firefighters from Chippenham battled to stop £21 million in used notes being destoyed in a security van blaze, only to discover the cash was on its way to be incinerated at the Royal Mint.

Two drivers from security firm Brinks escaped injury when flames reached the driver's cab on the M4, at Leigh Delamere services near Chippenham, on Friday around 7.30am.

The Chippenham fire crew found the security vehicle's tyre had blown-out causing it to overheat and catch fire.

Leading Firefighter Paul Hanlon said: "There were flames in front of the cab but we have no idea if the money was destroyed because the van's security alarm went off and automatically shut everything so we could not get in.

"We were there for about two-and-a half hours damping the fire by pouring in water through the cab window.

"Someone said the money was being taken to be incinerated. The security drivers did not seem overly concerned about the cargo.

"There was nothing they could do. They had a blown-out tyre and they called us."

A spokesman from Brinks in Warrington, confirmed the fire crew had stopped the money being burned, but refused to say if it was later incinerated.

Two crews from Bath also helped extinguish the fire.