A BUS carrying approximately 12 passengers caught fire in Leigh earlier this evening.

The single decker bus was travelling along London Road when its rear engine burst into flames near to the junction with Fillebrook Avenue. No passengers were hurt.

The incident, which occurred just before 7pm, was attended by fire crews from Leigh and Southend, who reported that the engine was fully alight.

Crews used two hose reels and dry powder to tackle the blaze.

The coach was heavily smoke logged and the incident was dealt with by 19:09hrs.