LANDLORDS should check their vacant properties after the cold snap.

This was the advice from the fire service this evening after they were called out to a property with a burst pipe in the loft.

Firefighters were called to Cheriton Drive, Breightmet 3pm this afternoon when a neighbour spotted water pouring down the side of the end terrace.

The crew from Bolton North fire station had to break into the property in order to turn the water off and make the house safe again.

This is not the first time fire crews have had to respond to burst water pipes and over the weekend businesses in the Market Place were affected. 

Watch manager Craig Cubbins said: "The fire crews have responded to a few burst pipes recently and we would urge all landlords who have vacant properties to check on them."

Mr Cubbins said the house had been recently vacated and the cold snap, coupled with the lack of heating in the property had allowed the pipes in the loft to freeze and burst. Now the snow has thawed these burst pipes are starting to leak.