A MAN was saved by firefighters who rescued him from flames engulfing his Bolton home today.

Kevin Gallagher, who was staying with his partner in a neighbour's house at Centenary Court, off Rishton Lane, Great Lever, woke up and smelt the smoke at 1am.

He contacted firefighters and battered down the door of the house in a brave bid to rescue the man only to be beaten back by thick smoke and flames at the top of the stairs.

Firefighters from Bolton Central Fire Station found the man, believed to be in his late 50s, still conscious but lying on the floor of his bathroom.

He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital by paramedics suffering from burns and smoke inhalation but his injuries were not thought to be life threatening.