GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has received equipment worth £720,000 to fight emergencies including plane crashes, gas attacks and bombings.

The new equipment comprises of one hydraulic platform fire engine, two rescue vehicles, and two operational support units.

The vehicles were supplied by Volvo dealer Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd.

Cllr Fred Walker, chairman of the Fire Authority, said nine further vehicles were due for delivery later in the year.

The hydraulic platform will be based at Leigh Fire Station.

The two rescue vehicles are to be based at Leigh and Ashton-under-Lyne fire stations.

They will carry equipment for use in major rescues involving aircraft, heavy goods vehicles, trains, the Metrolink, collapsed buildings and people trapped in machinery.

The operational support units will be located at Atherton and Hyde fire stations.

They provide equipment to deal with bomb alerts, radiation, hazardous substances and ship fires.

County fire officer Barry Dixon said: "The public will benefit from the new vehicles, which are state-of -the-art and will undoubtedly delivery a high quality service."