A GARAGE owner has vowed "it's business as usual" after a fierce blaze swept through a large paint workshop causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The fire at S&W Garages in Tyldesley Road, Atherton, destroyed the unit, and an HGV tractor unit, a car and a trailer unit which had been stored inside.

Firemen confined the blaze to the workshop, measuring about 30 metres by 30 metres, which is thought to have been started by an electrical fault inside the tractor unit.

Other units belonging to the business on the site were not affected. A caretaker on the site heard small explosions, caused by burning paints and thinners, and raised the alarm.

When firemen arrived, flames were shooting through the roof. More than 20 firefighters battled against the blaze, which started shortly before 1am.

Stephen Walsh, owner of the garages which have been in business for 31 years, said: "It's business as usual. The fire will not affect the running of the business.

"We have been here since 1966 and this is the first fire we have ever had."

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