A GARDENER lost vital equipment after fire took hold in one of his work units.

He had been carrying out some welding to repair his van , but sparks generated by the work sparked a blaze that engulfed the building.

Firefighters were called to the allotments, near Merton Lodge, off Waverley Road, Astley Bridge at about 7.30am this morning.

It took them nearly two hours to put out the blaze, but they were able to save a second building belonging to the gardener nearby.

Watch manager Ian Reed said the large lock-up and its contents, were 'a complete write-off' and that the owner was 'absolutely gutted' about the damage.

But the gardener was relieved that the fire service had stopped it from becoming any worse.

Mr Reed said: "He was over the moon because we managed to save his second unit next door and other garages on the allotment."

He added that the crews had difficulties getting to the blaze, and had to cut a gate open to get the fire engines through.

Mr Reed continued: "There were quite a lot of hazardous materials, and asbestos boarding on the roof. When that's involved it's far more dangerous for us, we don't want to be breathing the dust in. And there were a couple of gas cylinders in there, too."