TOWN centre visitors should not be alarmed when they see emergency services gathered in Nelson Square on Sunday morning.

Firefighters in Bolton and across Greater Manchester are planning to take part in a large scale training exercise at the popular Level nightclub.

The mock exercise involves a fire in the building and said Ian Ainsworth, watch manager at Bolton Central Fire Station is part of on-going training for firefighters to hone and develop their skills.

Sunday’s exercise concentrates on a fire breaking out in large town centre building when it is packed with people.

Mr Ainsworth said: “We are very grateful for people allowing us to use their premises for the purpose of training exercises.

“It allows to us to make the exercise as realistic as possible.

“Level Nightclub is run really well by its owners and have allowed us to carry out our training there.”

The exercise is planned to run from 9.30am, finishing at around 11.30am.

There will be around six to ten fire appliances with vehicles parked up in Nelson Square, Chancery Lane and Mawdsley Street.

Mr Ainsworth said staff from the nightclub will also be involved in the exercise, with the club being left exactly as it is after revellers have left on Saturday night, with actors taking their place on Sunday morning.

Mr Ainsworth said: “The exercise shouldn’t cause any disruption but we are asking people to be patient while were are there and not to be concerned as it is a training exercise.”

He asked if people could avoid the area if possible.

Sam Zegrour, co-owner of the nightclub, said: “We are always looking to work with different emergency services and the council. Weare happy to open our doors to them to help them deliver what they do.

“They asked if the could use the building because it is split over several floors and they have carried out training exercises here over the last week. The firefighters asked if they could do a big training exercises.”

Firefighters often use buildings to carry out exercises, with crews having scaled some of Bolton tallest town centre buildings.

Emergency services have also used the Albert Hall for a mock exercise involving a suspect package delivered to the town hall to practise their techniques for how to deal with dangerous chemical incidents.