A fire engulfed two garden sheds after the remnants of a bonfire were put into a compost bin.

A woman in Oliver Avenue, in Leigh, had a bonfire on Saturday night, and put the ashes in a compost bin by her shed – which caught alight.

The blaze completely destroyed the shed and then spread to a neighbour’s shed too, causing smoke damage to their house.

The fire service has issued a warning following the incident, saying people should take more care with bonfires.

Sub officer from Chris Seal, from Leigh Fire Station, who was called to the fire, said: “People need to be careful when they discard the remainders of their bonfires.

“Make sure you use a hose or watering can to make sure they are all out before putting them into a bin.

“The discarded ashes here caught alight and they took the shed up with them”

Fire crews were called out to the fire at 3.53am on Sunday morning.

The blaze also destroyed part of the fence separating the two houses.