A CANAL barge was badly damaged by fire on Saturday night.

It is believed high winds fanned the flames of a stove on board the narrow boat, which was moored on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal opposite the Keyside pub, Diamond Street, Leigh.

Residents from nearby flats dialled 999 after spotting smoke billowing from the barge just before 10pm.

Officials from the British Waterways Board were contacted yesterday to trace the owner of the boat.