THE fire service is reminding drivers to be mindful of road conditions in winter after an increase in road crashes.

Watch manager Paul Harrison, from Farnworth station, said: "It is getting to that time of year when drivers need to be careful of the weather conditions.

"Roads could well be wet or icy and they need to take that into account when driving."

The warning comes after the fire crew attended three crashes in one evening on Wednesday.

Firefighters were called to a crash on the junction of Cawdor Street at 7pm.

Two vehicles, including a Mini Cooper, were involved.

The driver of the Mini, a woman believed to be in her 40s, had to be cut from the car and was placed on a spinal board.

She was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital with neck and back injuries, however her injuries were not believed to be life threatening.

Four other people, travelling in the other vehicle, were treated for shock.

In the same evening, at 9.30pm, Farnworth fire crew also turned out to a crash in Albert Road.

Watch manager Harrison added: "A driver crashed into a wall but no other vehicle was involved.

"We secured the scene."

No-one was injured in the incident.

Watch manager Harrison added: "I am not saying that weather conditions caused these crashes but on behalf of the fire and police I would just give a general warning to drivers to be mindful over the winter period."

A fire crew was also called to assist emergency services with a crash in St Peter's Way at about 8pm on Wednesday.

It happened on the A666, near to the Trinity Retail Park, and involved at least three cars and five people were injured.