Farnworth fire crews have emphasised the importance of having a working fire alarm after it alerted an elderly man to a bin fire in his home.

Firefighters were called to an address in Manchester Road, Kearsley, around 4am yesterday morning where they found that a cigarette thrown into a bin had been smouldering.

The elderly man at the address was asleep at the time while smoke filled the property, setting off the alarm.

Farnworth watch manager Kevin Wright, said: "There was quite a lot of smoke in the house which belonged to quite an elderly gentleman.

"If not for the alarm he could have been sleeping for hours which would have been very dangerous for him.

"Thankfully the fire didn't cause much damage but the smoke really could have done.

"These incidents highlight the importance of checking fire and smoke alarms which can really save lives."