TWO sleeping lorry drivers had a lucky escape when flames swept through a vehicle beside them on a motorway service area.

Strong winds fanned flames towards the two lorries at Rivington Services on the M61, just north of Horwich, early today.

But passing motorists managed to wake the men who drove their units clear of the fire. One of the drivers had to leave his trailer, which was engulfed in flames.

The blaze started at 1am on a high-sided vehicle carrying a fairground ride. It also had a trailer attached. The petrol station on the southbound carriageway was forced to close because of the danger of flying sparks. But it reopened at 2.30am when fire crews gave the all-clear.

Three fire appliances, two from Chorley and one from Horwich, tackled the blaze.

The vehicle in which the fire started was destroyed, and the two trailers were severely damaged. Neither of the drivers, Michael Down, from Kent and John Parkinson, from Doncaster, was injured.

The owners of the fairground lorry had not been located.

Sub-officer Steve Hart from Chorley Fire Station, said the blaze, which may have been caused by an electrical fault, could have been very serious for the two drivers.

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