THREE kittens and their mother were rescued by firefighters after they were trapped in a house fire.

Firefighters were called to a semi-detached house on Chip Hill Road, Deane, at 10.20am on Saturday after neighbours heard the smoke alarm.

On arriving, the fire service were told there were three black kittens and a cat in the house.

Two firefighters rescued them. None of the cats was injured.

The fire started in the kitchen wastebin while the owners were out shopping.

The kitchen cupboards were damaged and the house smoke-logged. The kittens and cat were returned to the house once the fire had been dealt with.