AN elderly man described as infirm and immobile was saved by his neighbours when a fire started in his Leigh flat on Saturday afternoon.

They spotted smoke pouring from the kitchen window of the premises in Undercliff Gardens and had got him out before firefighters arrived.

A firefighter said: “We think he was about 87 and was infirm and immobile but after treatment for smoke inhalation he wasn’t taken to hospital.”

The man and his wife, who returned later, were made homeless but firefighters say neighbours had found them accomodation when they returned around 5pm.