Blaze wrecks former tannery

A LANDMARK former tannery in Yorkshire has been destroyed by fire.

More than 60 firefighters from across West Yorkshire tackled the blaze at Sheepscar Works, a former tannery in Leeds.

The fire service was alerted to the fire at about 5.45pm on Saturday following reports of the unoccupied mill being alight.

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The building, which is four storeys high and about 100m long, was severely damaged.

About 20 firefighters remained at the site yesterday damping down.

The fire service said no-one was believed to have been inside the mill and there have been no reports of any injuries.

In 2009 it was reported that plans had been drawn up to convert the historic Buslingthorpe Tannery into flats.

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The area was designated a conservation area which was described as having regional and national importance.

Leeds Council created the Buslingthorpe conservation area, a move supported by English Heritage.