YOBS attacked a fire engine as crews returned from tackling a blaze.

The ringleader and another youth then jumped onto the back of the vehicle and clung onto the ladder, but fell off as it gathered speed.

Both incidents were caught on CCTV cameras fitted to the engine. Footage has now been passed to police for inspection.

Crew Manager Stuart Hay, of Bolton Central Fire Station, said: "This kind of behaviour can be intimidating and there is no reason for us to tolerate it.

"We are asking the police for a prosecution. Luckily the damage wasn't so bad as to put the vehicle out of service and we have carried out a running repair but it will cost a few hundred pounds to put right.

"It was also extremely dangerous for the youths to ride on the back of the vehicle."

The incident happened as crews left Haslam Park off Wigan Road in Deane after dealing with a small rubbish fire at 8.50pm on Friday.

A gang of around 20 youths were in the area.

They let the vehicle through to tackle the fire. But as it left the park, the gate was slammed into a locker on the rear driver's side which houses the hose. Two yobs then jumped onto the engine.

All fire appliances in Bolton were fitted with four CCTV cameras last year in an £18,000 scheme to deter attacks.