Residents who wore face masks because of a nearby fire blazing for eight months have welcomed plans by environmental health services to put it out.

The blaze broke out on a compost heap at Keenan Recycling Plant at New Deer, Aberdeenshire, in June last year, but Grampian Fire and Rescue said too much water was required to put out the fire.

Resident Phil Hemsley said he, his wife Elaine and their daughter had to wear face masks to stop breathing in the smoke.

Mr Hemsley said: "The fumes of smoke have been very unpleasant."