ALREADY stretched firefighters were called to a number of grass fires suspected to have been started deliberately.

The fire service in Atherton, Leigh and Hindley were called to a series of blazes on Thursday, with the most serious leading to the evacuation of a shop.

The fires are thought to have been started by young people.

Among the fires crews dealt with included a blaze off Cameron Street, Leigh, where a nearby shop was evacuated because of the smoke.

Crew Manager Andrew Kopicki said: "We were busy with grass fires throughout the day, people had reported seen groups of kids running away.

"At the fire on grass off Cameron Street we had four fire engines and were there for two hours."

He added: "We would ask parents whose children have a fascination with fire to contact the fire service because we do have specialist people and courses who can help them."