VANDALS plagued fire crews by starting a series of bin fires across Farnworth and Little Hulton on Saturday night.

Crews were called to deal with several fires in the Coniston Drive area of Farnworth throughout the night.

Separate fires were also started in wheelie bins around the Peel Drive area of Little Hulton.

Leading Firefighter Ian Read of Farnworth Fire Station said: "This was a major distraction on Saturday night at a time when we could have been needed on genuine emergencies."