FOUR brave fire fighters, who averted disaster when a blaze broke out during a karate class packed full of children, have been honoured for their action.

Instructor Dee Fakira and three parents leapt into action at Atherton's prestigious Formby Hall earlier this month when an electrical fault on stage set curtains alight.

After evacuating the premises they stayed inside to control the flames with in-house extinguishers until the fire brigade arrived.

Now their swift thinking has been praised by Wigan Council.

Back at the Alder Street hall on Tuesday Dee, of Atherton, and parents Phil Dunn, of Atherton, Kath Strigen, of Lowton, and Anne Miles, of Over Hulton, were thanked for their courage at a presentation evening.

Geoff Westhead, halls manager at Wigan Council's leisure and cultural services department, said: "The swift action of these four brave people prevented what could have turned into a major incident. Had the fire taken hold who knows what could have happened?

"It is without doubt Anne, Kath, Dee and Phil saved the hall from a great deal of damage that would have put it out of action for all foreseeable classes, weddings and entertainment due to take place there over the coming months.

"At risk to themselves they stayed behind to stem the flames and for this everyone is eternally grateful."

The fab four were alerted to the fire when the automatic smoke alarm went off.

It took Atherton fire fighters 45 minutes to extinguish the fire and clear the badly smoke-logged hall. Damage was confined to the curtains and stage area and no-one was injured.

The hall was founded in 1914 and presented to the town by Mr and Mrs Miles Burrows in 1917. It was extended in 1951 in commemoration of the Festival of Britain.