AN amateur astronomer called 999 after spotting a fire with his telescope this morning.

Firefighters said the man from Foulridge had been stargazing around 1.35am when he saw the fire over a hill.

He rang the fire service stating there was a fire in Reedley Road, Colne.

Fire crews were mobilised to the scene but discovered the fire was burning on a farm over the next hill in Knotts Lane.

The fire engine from Colne and two from Nelson were sent to the fire.

When they arrived they found a farmer was burning household rubbish on his land.