FIREFIGHTERS were pelted with stones by a gang of up to 20 youths as they attempted to extinguish a wheelie bin blaze in Whitefield.

Despite pleading with the youngsters to stop, the barrage continued and forced officers to retreat from the scene at Victoria Park last Thursday night.

One of the missiles chipped the windscreen of the fire engine, and police were later called to the park but no arrests were made.

Whitefield-based watch commander Pete Fletcher said: "We tried to engage these youths by telling them our role in the community and explained that we were helping. We also put across the point we needed to be there. But it was to no good and we were forced to make a withdrawal."

Another crew were attacked on Sunday at the same park, possibly by the same group of youths, when apples and bottles were hurled.

The incidents came in the week the boss of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Barry Dixon said lives could be lost if his officers and other emergency services workers were prevented from doing their duty.