FOUR brave members of the public who averted disaster when a blaze broke out during a karate class packed with children have been honoured for their actions.

Instructor Dee Fakira and three parents sprang into action at Atherton's Formby Hall earlier this month when an electrical fault on stage set curtains alight.

After they evacuated the children from the premises, they stayed inside the building to control the flames with extinguishers until the fire brigade arrived.

Their swift action has been praised by Wigan Council.

Dee, of Atherton, and parents Phil Dunn, of Atherton, Kath Strigen, of Lowton, and Anne Miles, of Over Hulton, were thanked at a presentation evening at the hall in Alder Street.

Geoff Westhead, halls manager at Wigan Council's leisure and cultural services department, said: "The swift action of these four brave people prevented what could have turned into a major incident. Had the fire taken hold, who knows what could have happened?

"It is without doubt that Anne, Kath, Dee and Phil saved the hall from a great deal of damage that would have put it out of action for all foreseeable classes, weddings and entertainment due to take place there over the coming months.

"At risk to themselves, they stayed behind to stem the flames and for this everyone is eternally grateful."

The four were alerted to the fire when the automatic smoke alarm went off.

It took Atherton firefighters 45 minutes to extinguish the fire and deal with the smoke-logged hall. Damage was confined to the curtains and stage area. No one was injured.

The hall was founded in 1914 and presented to the town by Mr and Mrs Miles Burrows in 1917. It was extended in 1951 in commemoration of the Festival of Britain.