AN investigation has been launched after firefighters were attacked by a gang of youths in a 'firework attack'.

A fire crew attended a small rubbish fire on New Hall Street, Burnley, just before 3pm today and were attacked by eight teenagers as they tried to put the fire out.

Officers said the young male teenagers started to throw rubbish and set off fireworks at them, hurling them and shouting abuse at the same time.

Police officers were called to the scene just after the attack but the teenagers had fled by the time they arrived.

A police spokesman said: "Setting rubbish on fire in public after the bonfire weekend is bad enough, but to then directly attack firefighters as they work tirelessly to keep the community safe is simply appalling.

"This behaviour will not be tolerated.

"It is not just ‘part of the job’ and nobody working in the emergency services deserves to be treated in this way."

Police have issued an appeal to find the attackers.

Officers have described them as being between 10 and 14 years old, wearing grey tracksuits, however one had a distinctive red top on.

One of the teenagers was on a bicycle and another on a scooter.

If anyone has seen anything or can provide any names please ring 101 and quote log reference LC-20171106-0744.