AN ELDERLY woman was forced to stay with friends after she reported the smell of petrol in her home.

Firefighters were called to Leigh Road in Westhoughton at 8pm on Tuesday when the pensioner reported the stench in her house.

Crews flushed the drains and ventilated the house and the woman stayed with friends.

It is thought a neighbour on the street had poured petrol down the drain as a way of disposing of it.