An innovative scheme to produce electricity from rubbish has sparked over 15 calls to the fire brigade in just five days.

For conscientious passers-by, mainly motorists using mobile phones, are dialling 999 when they spot what they think is a burning skip at Sugden End Tip in Cross Roads, near Keighley.

But the "fire" is in fact a flame from a device which burns off methane created by millions of tons of waste as it rots down.

It is the first stage of a project to turn the gas into electricity - enough to power 2,000 homes - being set up by a partnership between Bradford Council and London-based Energy Developments Ltd.

The scheme is expected to be operational early next year when the methane-driven machine is up and running - the first of its kind in the Bradford area.

Keighley fire station officer Arthur Atkinson said crews had been called out at least 15 times to Sugden End since the flame was turned on last Friday.

Each time they suspected it was a false alarm with good intent, he said. But he added: "If we receive a 999 call, we must attend even if we suspect it is likely to be a false alarm.

"The trouble is - while we are attending the tip, we have to be covered by Bingley fire station and a retained crew in Silsden."

Bradford Council manager Colin Hill said EDL was planning to change the colour of the flame to make it less visible and also to put a screen round it.

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