A waste company has given a stark warning about the risks of unemptied aerosol canisters in recycling centres after one exploded and caused a mini fireball.

CCTV footage from the recycling sorting centre in Calne, Wilts., shows the moment the explosion happened.

A forklift truck is seen sorting big piles of recycling material and in the background close to another machine the explosion takes place.

Hills Waste Solutions - which run the facility - said: "Only completely empty aerosol cans should be put in the blue-lidded recycling bin so please check before disposing them. "

"Partially full aerosol cans could cause explosions and potentially endanger recycling staff and property. "

"To make sure an aerosol can is fully empty, simply depress the nozzle until no more air or propellant can be heard escaping." "

The explosions are caused by the materials being compressed in the baling machine with other metals before they are transported.

Recycling manager Henry Newbery, at Hills Waste Solutions, added: "The CCTV footage shows a significant explosion from this incident, and fortunately no-one was injured and there was no damage caused to equipment or property." "

The footage was captured on December 23, 2022.