FIRE broke out at a Bolton school as canteen staff were preparing dinners for the day.

Firefighters were called to Canon Slade School in Bradshaw Brow, Bradshaw, at 10.50am yesterday when a fat fryer overheated and caught fire.

All 1,700 pupils, staff and visitors were evacuated from the building immediately.

Head Philip Williamson praised the actions of his kitchen staff.

"They quickly dealt with the fire and followed procedures to the letter," he said. "The fire service arrived within minutes but it was under control by then.

"We are extremely fortunate that the risk was limited by the actions of the catering staff.

"We do fire drills regularly and most of the children didn't know that it was a real fire. None of the staff can recall having a fire here before."