FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze in the rear yard of a food takeaway in Besses at 10pm last night.

Officers based in Whitefield, Broughton and Blackley were called to the address in Bury Old Road, after a fire broke out in a pile of discarded furniture.

Fire crews were at the scene for 30 minutes.

A Fire Service spokesman said: "It seems that the takeaway had recently done some refurbishment and had been throwing out old fittings.

"The fire could have been started by a discarded cigarette being flicked towards the fittings, which were in a pile of wood and paper."

He added: "We gave advice to the business owner about ensuring safe disposal of the waste using a skip and plan to return soon to check it has been done.

"This kind of fire shows the importance of using skips and not letting waste build up. We hope it serves as a warning to others."