YOUTHS are being blamed for setting fire to a disused clothes store in Whitefield.

Five fire teams were called out to the Brand Centre off Stanley Road shortly after 6pm on Sunday after members of the public raised the alarm when they spotted smoke pouring out of the building.

According to fire officers, a group of youths had forced their way into the store and set fire to a quantity of boxes and paper.

Station Officer Paul Myerscough from Bury fire station said: "The smoke was more of a problem than the actual fire. We spent about six hours at the scene making sure the flames had not spread deeper into the building."

Three young men were seen running from the scene. Stanley Road was closed from Bury New Road to its junction with Mather Avenue while fire crews tackled the blaze.