A FLAT was set on fire when an intruder threw a cigarette on to a bed.

Firefighters were called to the first floor apartment in Chaplefield Street, Astley Bridge, at around 11.30pm on Tuesday.

The apartment had been broken into while the occupant was out. The intruder had kicked open the front door.

Fire officers put out the blaze but the bedroom was destroyed and the rest the flat was damaged by smoke.

A police spokesman said: "We were called to the address at midnight after we were alerted by fire officers. The matter is now being investigated."