AN elderly couple prevented a Christmas tragedy when they rescued a mum, her young daughter and baby trapped inside their smoke-filled house.

Tom and Freda Bryers, both in their 70s, have been hailed as heroes by firefighters after they dashed next door to carry the tots to safety from a downstairs window.

The couple had just returned to their home in Chestnut Avenue at 10am last Tuesday (Dec 23) when they heard screams from the neighbouring property. Mr and Mrs Bryers raced outside and found their neighbour Shelley Watson shouting for help through a small window.

A fire had broken out in the kitchen and Shelley and her two daughters, Shannon (2) and Leah, aged four months, were helpless inside as both the front and back doors were locked and Shelley was unable to find the keys.

Bury Station Officer Paul Myerscough said: "As you can imagine, Shelley was in a hysterical state and was screaming for help. She and her two daughters were trapped in the house with no way out.

"Tom and Freda had only just arrived home and they told Shelley to pass the children through the window. They then helped her to climb out through the window."

Shelley and the girls were taken to Fairfield General Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters had to break into Shelley's home and quickly extinguished the fire in a rubbish bin. They also rescued the family's two pet hamsters.

Mr Myerscough said: "I cannot praise Tom and Freda highly enough. They kept cool heads in what was a dramatic, life-threatening incident and they helped their neighbours escape.

"If they had not been around, I don't think Shelley would have managed to get any other help. A more serious incident was prevented by the Bryers who were in the right place at the right time."