A GARDEN shed in Radcliffe was destroyed by fire after a suspected arson attack.

Firefighters rushed to the blaze at a property in Bright Street at just before 4am and found the shed "well alight".

It took about 40 minutes for the Whitefield and Bury crew members to battle back the flames but the structure was in ruins.

But Steve Wilcock, watch manager at Bury Fire Station, said nobody was injured.

He said: "The shed in a garden to the rear of the property had been maliciously ignited by persons unknown.

"The early indications show that this is arson and the shed was completely destroyed.

"There was no other reason for that shed to have caught fire. It is a dark, back street and there is no electricity going to the shed."

As much of the scene had been destroyed by the fire, Mr Wilcock said it was difficult to tell the exact cause but said investigations were ongoing.