BOSSES at Lancaster's fire ravaged Fats and Proteins UK reckon the animal rendering plant will be back in action in weeks rather than months after a ferocious blaze ripped through the building.

The controversial factory, off Quernmore Road, went up in smoke on Hallowe'en, with fire-fighters spending around 36 hours tackling the blaze.

It led to speculation the factory would be forced to close its doors for good - and also sparked an angry reaction from Lancaster City Council leader Cllr Ian Barker.

He told the Citizen: "There are certainly serious questions to be answered now because this is a very serious issue.

"Fats and Proteins has been warned on numerous occasions by the city council over smells from the plant and I have always thought that the factory is incorrectly sited.

"If the buildings have been destroyed I cannot ever see it re-opening on that site. If it does it will have to meet tougher criteria - and that means providing more assurances over the smells.

The company, however, is keen to get up-and-running again.

While the main processing plant is currently inoperable, it says it is looking for replacement equipment and intends to get back ibto production as soon as possible.

"Most importantly, there was no loss of life and no injuries," says Jonathan Addis, general manager of Fats and Proteins.

"We are indebted to the fire and other emergency services and congratulate them for their handling of the entire incident. Thanks to their response, the fire was brought under control as quickly as possible and while it has caused significant damage, the situation could have been much worse.

"Without doubt the emergency services deserve great credit for their handling of this situation and we extend our gratitude to all those involved."