ARSONISTS have destroyed thousands of brand new wheelie bins.

Firefighters were called to Linstock Way Industrial Park, off Wigan Road, in Atherton, just after 1am this morning.

A nearby resident had called 999 to report a large fire in the yard of the industrial site, with flames visible above the building from WIgan Road.

Crews arrived on the scene to find a blaze amongst around 3,000 stacked wheelie bins.

More than 1,500 bins are thought to have been destroyed in the fire, which also damaged part of an adjoining building.

The wheelie bins belong to Wigan Council and were being stored at the yard, which is also council owned.

Atherton watch commander Mike McKiernan, said:” The bins were well alight when we got there and the fire was well above the building.

“The problem for us was that they were stacked right up against the building so we had to act quickly to stop it spreading.

“We used hoses from both sides on the flames, it could have easily spread to the building.

“About half of the bins were totally destroyed.

Two fire engines, from Atherton and Hindley spent an hour-and-a-half at the scene.

The fire is being treated as deliberate and police have confirmed they are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 .