HEADTEACHERS from Finland were among the hundreds of guests forced to flee for their lives last night.
Nine headteachers and teachers from Espoo and Helsinki, Finland, were visiting the town as guests of Smithills School who were due to stage a major Future's conference at the Moat House tonight.
Chris Roberts, deputy headteacher of the Smithills School, said: "All the party are safe but are clearly upset by the ordeal.
"They are guests of the school and had travelled for the conference which was due to be held at The Moat House tonight.
"We had people due to travel from all over the country. We are still going ahead with it but it will be held at the sports hall at the school.
"The headteachers and teachers are very shaken by the incident.
"They have been evacuated to the Last Drop Hotel."
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