A 25-year-old man has died after suffering a cardiac arrest at a flat in Breightmet.

Firefighters were called to the first-floor flat above a shop in Bury Road, near the junction with Garstang Avenue, at 12.30am today after receiving reports that a man had collapsed.

Fire officers are now trained to be ‘first responders’ – providing life-saving treatment to people who stop breathing when crews they can reach incidents quicker than paramedics.

Crews spent 20 minutes trying to revive the man, who has not been named, using CPR without success.

A team from North West Ambulance Service arrived and took over the CPR and police attended the address at 1.10am.

The man was taken to Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, where he was pronounced dead.

A 44-year-old woman and three men, aged 42, 50 and 65, were arrested at the flat on suspicion of manslaughter and remain in custody for questioning 

Police are investigating the possibility that the man may have taken a form of heroin which may be linked to a number of deaths in Bolton over the past two months.

They have advised drug users to access the support of Bolton Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service on 01204 557 977 for advice and treatment plans.

Detective Inspector Charlotte Cadden, of Bolton Police, said: "First and foremost I would like to express my most sincere condolences to the family of the man at this difficult time.

“Local residents may notice an increased police presence in the nearby area as we carry out our enquiries and I would like to thank them in advance for their patience.

“If anybody has any information that they think can assist us then I would ask that they please get in touch.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 5619 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.