RELATIVES were today making efforts to contact a Bolton family, holidaying on the Greek island of Rhodes, to tell them the devastating news that their home had been destroyed by fire.

Firefighters were called to Ashness Drive, Breightmet, after neighbours raised the alarm, early today. A video, left switched on in a small, upstairs bedroom, caused the blaze which spread through open bedroom doors.

The fire, which had been burning for more than a day unnoticed, gutted the privately-owned home.

Graham and Lesley Stokes, who have lived there for more than 20 years, are away with their grown up daughter and son, Kimberly and Craig, on a family holiday in Rhodes.They left on Tuesday.

Relatives with the task of tracking down the couple and have so far been unable to reach them. They have been forced to leave a message with the holiday company for the couple to phone home.

Ian Medcalf, sub officer at Bolton North Fire Station, said: " The house was obviously very well looked after.

"When we arrived we thought that someone was trapped inside. We smashed through the front window but soon realised the property was empty. This is devastating news to break to a family while they are away on holiday.

"There were no smoke alarms which could have alerted the neighbours earlier.

"Obviously it is advisable to switch off all electrical items when you go away on holiday to stop them overheating."

A neighbour spotted the smoke pouring from a ventilation hole in the wall at 5am.