A CLUB had to be evacuated after fire broke out in a flat.

More than 150 people at the Leigh Bowling Club, on Pownall Street, had to put down their pints at 8.50pm on Saturday after smoke was spotted pouring from the steward's living accommodation.

Firefighters put out the flames, which was said to have resulted from a power cut.

Michael Garvey, steward , aged 44, tried to tackle the blaze using a fire extinguisher but the heat was too intense.

He immediately had the club evacuated.

The second floor and the roof were alight when crews arrived. The flat was badly damaged but nobody was hurt.

Mr Garvey, who now has to look for alternative accommodation for himself and his 48-year-old wife Janet, said: "All we have left are the clothes we are standing in. Everything is gone and the flat is full of thick, black smoke.

"It was good job somebody coming into the club spotted it, otherwise it could have been much worse."

The couple are temporarily staying with their son nearby.

The club was slightly damaged by water as fire crews used two jets to dampen the flames, but it was open for business as usual on Sunday.