Parts of Chorley town centre came to a standstill for four hours on Saturday when smoke started pouring from Market Plaice fish and chip shop, in Market Place.

Up to 20 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze and found the shop engulfed in a 'wall of flames'.

Thick smoke could be seen billowing out of neighbouring shops and several stalls in the covered market were evacuated as the area was cordoned off.

Stall holders were forced to shut their shutters and move away to a safe distance to watch to see if the blaze spread.

The inside of the chip shop was severely damaged by the fire but nobody was injured.

Staff who were in the shop when the fire started were able to escape and raise the alarm at around 11am.

It is believed the fire started around the cooking range area of the shop.

Browns Butchers next door was also damaged by smoke and it's believed their entire meat range that was on display has had to be disposed of after being contaminated with smoke from the fire.

Watch manager Ian Turnbull, from Chorley Fire Station, said: "With a range it is 300 to 400 degrees anyway - they have had to do a really good job to get into the building.

"By the time we arrived the fire had spread into the first floor. It was a difficult job to get into the first floor from the outside.

"We sent two lads in initially - there was the heat and a wall of flames but they worked at it methodically."

Crews from Chorley, Bamber Bridge and Leyland attended the incident and they left at 3.30pm when the gutted building had been made safe.

Lorene Waring, of Althams travel agents, in nearby New Market Street, recalled: "All the upstairs windows at the fish and chip shop are out and they've brought a number of things outside.

"It was very dramatic. We came out with our coats on because we didn't know if we'd be evacuated.

"The big fear was that the fire would spread."

Malcolm Allen, of Malcolm's Musicland, in Chapel Street, said: "I saw the first fire engine just after 11am and I think the last one didn't leave until about 3.15pm.

"It could have been a lot worse and there was quite a crowd gathering."

Market stallholders spoke of their relief that the fire was stopped from spreading.

Norma Caney, who runs Norma's Biscuits and Cakes, said: "All of a sudden there was acrid smoke all over the market. The main thing is nobody was injured - it could have been different."

Rebecca Bradshaw, 20, manager of Fylde Dairies, said: "A load of black smoke came pouring out and into the shop. The girl who was working in there was telling me 'it's on fire'.

"It was coming out the windows and roof - I put the shutters down and legged it."