Concerns have been aired after a bin was set on fire in the early hours of the morning in Tonge Moor this week.

Emergency services were called to Ainsworth Lane at around 6am on Wednesday after residents raised the alarm.

One crew from Bolton North Fire Station spent 10 minutes combatting the flames with a hose reel, which was on the back lane between two rows of houses.

Following the incident, nearby residents in the surrounding area have been concerned by the possiblity it was set on fire deliberately and there could be a repeat of such incidents- putting their properties at risk.

The remains of the deeply damaged bin are still in place on the street.

Dorothy Perrins, who stays nearby to where the blaze took place between Ainsworth Lane and Huntroyde Avenue, said she was worried.

The 84-year-old pensioner said: "It is worrying when things like this happened.

"I have lived here for 52 years, it is getting a lot worse and you never see any police.

"We have been putting our bins in as soon as they are emptied."

A woman who lives nearby added: "I am worried about it.

"The last thing you want is for something like this.

"You could just see the wheels of the bin on the side of the road."

Another woman said: "I did not see it but I got woken up at the time.

"My dogs were going mad because of the smell."

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 6am on Wednesday, fire crews were called to a bin fire on Ainsworth Lane, Bolton.

“One fire engine from Bolton North station attended.

"Firefighters used a hose reel to extinguish the fire.

"Firefighters were in attendance for around 10 minutes.”

Greater Manchester Police has been approached for a comment about the incident on Wednesday.