A HUGE group of youths set fire to a dozen wheelie bins in two of Bolton's streets.

Crews from Farnworth were called out four times between 7.30pm and 12.30pm last night — once to St Germain Street and then to three fires in Harrowby Street.

At each attendance, firefighters arrived to find a group of between 20 and 30 young people at the scene, crews said.

It comes after a recent study by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service found that teenagers are engaging in the dangerous new craze in order to "get high off the fumes."

Oliver Deller, watch manager at Farnworth Fire Station, said: "We were called four separate times, with between 10 and 12 wheelie bins set on fire in total.

"The same group of teenagers, all aged between 13 and 17, were at every incident.

"It is dangerous for the kids. The fumes that come off these plastic bins are incredibly dangerous."

He added: "It wastes our resources. Each fire takes about 15 minutes to respond to. It also costs a huge amount of money for residents and the council, who have to clear up the mess.

"It can then cost about £35 for that resident to replace their bin."

Each of the wheelie bins were completely destroyed. The fires were contained to the bins.