A GANG of yobs hurled bottles, bricks and pieces of wood at firefighters as they dealt with a wheelie bin blaze.

An Atherton Fire Station crew was called to an area of woodland off Birch Road in Leigh at around 4.30pm on Thursday.

After pelting the firefighters with objects the large number of youths fled the scene.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We were called to reports of youths throwing objects at firefighters.

"It is being investigated as assault."

No-one was injured in what was the second gang attack on firefighters in Leigh in two weeks.

Yobs threw fireworks at firefighters as they attended a hoax emergency on Westbourne Avenue at 9.50pm on Wednesday, September 20.

Atherleigh Cllr Pamela Stewart said: “I am absolutely appalled.

“God forbid we should have an incident where people need a fire crew because someone’s life is in danger only for firefighters to not be able to get there in time because they are under attack."

There have been more than 20 instances of attacks against Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) firefighters so far in 2017, compared to 16 the previous year.

Cllr Stewart added: “I think it is going to get worse with Halloween and Bonfire Night approaching.”

Beverley Hughes, Greater Manchester’s deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: “These attacks not only affect the firefighters mentally and physically but they can also have a really negative impact on the community.

“This type of hostile action takes up valuable time and resources that might be needed at serious incidents elsewhere."

Anyone with information about the gang attacks should call police on 101.