A MAN has died in a house fire in Great Lever.

The blaze started between 9am and 10am today in a first-floor flat, according to the fire service.

Police and fire investigators have been on the scene for much of the day.

The deceased has not been named, but is believed to have been a tenant of the flat for the last two years.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said they saw the man's body being carried out this morning.

He said: "I did not realise there was a fire until a neighbour thankfully woke me from my deep sleep.

"When I came out at about 9.30am, I saw them bring his body out and I could tell he was dead."

The blaze is not being treated as suspicious.

A fire service spokesman said: "We were called at 9.30 this morning to a fire in Bradford Avenue in Bolton.

"We had firefighters from Eccles and Farnworth at the scene, and a cover crew from Farnworth were sent due to the severity of the incident." 

More to follow.