FIREFIGHTERS are urging the public to help save lives by thinking about where they park.

Bad parking is increasingly causing headaches for fire engines rushing to emergency calls around Bolton.

In narrow streets, crews struggle to squeeze through rows of double-parked cars, wasting vital seconds.

Now the fire service is distributing leaflets to homes where the worst problems occur or where firemen fear there are likely to be problems.

The appeal for drivers to remember that a fire engine is 2.5 metres wide and 7.5 metres long and needs enough space to manoeuvre.

People with fire hydrants outside their homes should avoid parking over them.

Firemen have also stressed the importance of displaying clear numbers on houses and getting the council to repair damaged road signs.

Free fire safety advice is available from Bolton's fire headquarters at Moor Lane on 382833.

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