A waste recycling centre in Yorkshire was wrecked at the weekend when a disgruntled employee went on the rampage with a JCB.

Armed police were rushed in early on Saturday morning as he used the giant digger to smash equipment, pulverise fences and lamp-posts and ram buildings.

The employee set fire to the site office — then ran amok in the JCB.

The recycling centre is outside Todmorden, where it sits between two rows of houses. Resident David Holmes witnessed part of the rampage.

“It started about 7.15am,” he said. “I just thought they’d started early and I went round to complain — they shouldn’t open until 8am.

“Then I saw the cabin on fire. He was hitting it with the JCB. I thought he was trying to put it out.”

A security guard arrived at the same time as Mr Holmes and called police and firefighters.

When they arrived the man was still running amok with the digger.

Mr Holmes said: “The police and firefighters couldn’t enter because he was trashing the place with the JCB. He was knocking down lamp-posts, fences, everything. He has mashed everything up.”

One source said police sharpshooters were seen on a rail embankment overlooking the site. The source said it had been feared the man might continue his rampage beyond the facility.

Mr Holmes said another employee had arrived at the site.

“One of the other guys who works at the site talked him out and he was taken away.”

Mr Holmes said he knew the disgruntled worker, whose name was Trevor.

“He is a really nice guy,” said Mr Holmes. “I don’t know why he’s done it.”

So far it is not known what prompted the man to go on the rampage. Police said a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of arson and criminal damage.

Todmorden is a former textile town which falls under Calderdale District Council.

The area’s waste disposal and recycling operations are privatised.

The Todmorden site is operated by Sita.