SCORES of firefighters battled for six hours to control a blaze that destroyed an industrial unit in Great Lever on Tuesday night.

Sixty firefighters were called to the scene at Clough Fold Industrial Estate, off Raikes Lane at 9.30pm. Five fire engines from stations across Bolton were sent and two hydraulic platforms were also used. The 100 metre long unit, which firefighters said was owned by a double glazing manufacturer, was well alight when firefighters arrived.

Sub-officer Kevin OConnor, of Farnworth Fire Station said: "We could tell by the ferocity of the fire that we had lost the building before we even turned up. So we tried to concentrate on what we could do to save the buildings around it because there are nine other businesses.

"Fortunately, no-one was inside the building but there were large volumes of smoke. It was absolutely raging and the unit next door was in danger of being engulfed but we managed to protect it."