FIREFIGHTERS had to rescue a pensioner who got stuck on his roof trying to carry out repairs.

William Winrow, aged 70, fell and became trapped on the roof of his bungalow in St Georges Avenue, Westhoughton, while attempting to fix a leak.

Mr Winrow feared his home would get flooded when slates started coming off his chimney and he braved the wet weather to fix the problem.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Winrow claimed he was forced to carry out the repairs after his insurers failed to send anyone out.

He said: "It's partially my fault, I was so stupid but I was let down by my insurance company. There was a gaping hole in the roof where the water could come straight through to the bedroom ceiling.

"When I got up there the tiles were slipping and I slipped too. I managed to pull myself back up but all my energy had gone and it was dark and freezing.

"All I could was shout to a lady passing by who told my wife and she phoned the emergency service. I couldn't believe it when four engines turned up and an ambulance, I was so, so embarrassed."

Three fires engine from Atherton and a technical rescue unit and hydraulic platform from Leigh attended the scene at around 5.15pm.

It took crews half an hour to rescue Mr Winrow using the hydraulic platform to help lower him to the ground.

He was then checked by a paramedic for injuries to his knees and hands, and was treated for hypothermia, before later attending hospital for further checks .