DISCARDED caps from children's toy guns are thought to be responsible for an explosion inside a refuse lorry on a Kidderminster estate.

The drama unfolded when the vehicle was making a trade collection in Walter Nash Road just after 10am yesterday.

Rubbish was strewn across the road and the nearby Meredith Green following the "explosion" and a fire broke out in the rear compartment of the lorry.

It is believed a large quantity of caps caused the explosion and the matter has been passed to the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive, who will liaise with police.

Sonia Gallop, manager of Choice Catering, in Walter Nash Road, heard the explosion, which she described as a "very loud boom".

She said: "All the staff went outside to see what all the noise was about. We noticed the smoke and all the rubbish, which had shot out all over the green.

"The paramedics arrived and the driver looked like he was suffering from shock."

Richard Weaver, who was visiting a relative in Walter Nash Road, said at first he thought it was a "joke" when he was told not to approach any further by the local milkman until he saw the amount of waste strewn across the road.

Councillor Marcus Hart, responsible for commercial services, said the area was cleared of litter following the incident.

He added: "It is believed the explosion occurred due to the disposal of a large number of caps.

"It appears the waste was being loaded into a refuse freighter and the explosion took place when the compressor came down.

"The refuse freighter was escorted by two fire engines and police cars back to our depot in Green Street where we have some specialist cutting equipment and it was dampened down.

"The driver was taken to hospital, primarily for shock, but, hopefully, he is not seriously injured."

Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said crews were sent out from Stourport and Kiddermin-ster.

He added :"Our initial thought is that the compressor may have come down on a substantial number of plastic explosive caps, which are often used for children's toy guns."