EMERGENCY services were called after a road sweeper was engulfed in flames in St Helens town centre.

The vehicle was ablaze on Friday morning, shortly before 11am, on Lowe Street South, close to North John Street car park.

The driver was already out of the road sweeper before emergency crews arrived.

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A spokeswoman said: "Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service attended an incident on Lowe Street South, St Helens, on July 14.

"Crews were alerted at 10.58am and on scene at 11.02am, one fire engine attended. St Helens Council were also in attendance.

"On arrival crews found one road sweeper fully involved in fire. The driver was out of the vehicle prior to fire service arrival.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus began fighting the fire using a high pressure hose reel.

"The fire was soon extinguished at crews left the scene at 11.30am."