More than 1,000 workers at online retailer Amazon were evacuated from a warehouse in the west of England after a fire broke out this morning.

Employees were ordered out of the firm's warehouse at the base in Rugely, Staffordshire after 2am.

Up to 20 firefighters were at the scene throughout the night and Staffordshire Police officers were also there. The fire service believe the fire was started deliberately, but the cause remains under investigation.

The fire spread in the picking area of the large distribution centre, with it preparing for its busiest time of the year ahead of Christmas.

Amazon was welcomed to Rugeley in 2011 as the area fought back from the loss of its mining industry.

The Rugeley base is such an attraction that the online giant launched guided tours of the huge Midlands distribution depot.

The site is the firm’s third biggest warehouse in the UK, employing more than 1,000 people.

In September, the company announced plans to hire 4,500 workers for roles in the run-up to Christmas at its so-called “Fulfilment Centre” in Rugeley, as part of its seasonal recruitment drive across the UK.