FIRE contingency plans are in place at Leigh Infirmary should fire fighters carry out their strike threat.

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust have set up a dedicated 24 hour fire response team and staff have received additional fire training.

Ian Martin, Trust security and fire prevention manager, said: "In the light of the impending action we are appealing to patients and visitors to be extremely vigilant.

"We ask smokers to use only designated areas and ensure that cigarettes are extinguished."