GANGS of teenagers in Little Hulton set fires to lure firefighters into a trap in which they intended to attack them with bricks.

The firefighters had been called to a shed fire at 6.10pm on Tuesday in Fairhurst Drive, Little Hulton.

But they were then alerted to rubbish on fire in the back yard of an unoccupied house opposite. They were then told of another blaze on land off Aspinall Crescent but warned by 999 operators that a gang of youths was waiting nearby.

It was feared that the fire crews could be cornered in the cul-de-sac, and attacked with bricks.

Firefighters called police and the gang fled. Firefighters then put out the fire.

At 7.30pm, firefighters were called to Madams Wood Road and were again warned about a gang waiting for them.

Police were called to protect the fire crews as they tackled the blaze.

Watch commander Paul Norris, said the fires were a huge waste of time and resources for both the fire service and the police.

While they were dealing with these fires another crew had to be called to a kitchen fire in Farnworth.

Bricks were hurled at firefighters in Little Hulton on Saturday as they dealt with a fire at Worsely Grove.