A CHIMNEY fire in Tottington started after an Easter egg box was thrown on the fire, firefighters said.

A neighbour called the fire brigade after seeing sparks emerge from the top of the chimney at a house in Church Street, at about 9pm on March 31.

A crew from Bury fire station attended, and were on site for more than an hour putting out the blaze.

Steve Wilcock, Watch Manager at Bury fire station, said chimney fires are fairly rare, but that incidences are increasing because log burners are becoming fashionable.

He said: "We had a bit of a laugh about it with the couple actually, because it sounds like she was trying to have an Easter egg without him seeing, and she put the box on the fire."

But Watch Manager Wilcock urged residents not to throw lightweight paper-based material on the fire.

He added: "You should have your chimney swept fairly regularly, and if you are going to ignite it you should use some form of kindling."