DOZENS of worshippers had to be evacuated in the middle of their Easter service after a fire at their church.

The drama happened at St Wulstan's Catholic Church, in Wolstanton, during yesterday's Easter morning service.

Members of the congregation tackled the fire, which started in a side room, and made an orderly exit while two fire engines drove to the scene in Church Lane, shortly before 11am.

Firefighters from Newcastle and Burslem found about 40 people standing outside after some of them had already put out the flames. They were allowed back inside 15 minutes later.

The fire had started in a plastic bin which firefighters removed from the building.

It had been caused by discarded charcoal which had been used to burn palm crosses gathered together from Palm Sunday last week, and set alight in front of the church at an earlier mass.

Worshipper Cathy Green, from Wood Lane, near Newcastle, said: "A door suddenly came open from a side room and thick black smoke billowed into the main church.

"But the priest was very good, told everyone not to panic and to calmly walk outside.

"Children had been in that room and the only bit of panic was from their parents who thought they were still inside. But they soon found out the children had already smelled the smoke and been led out through the back door. It all happened so quickly. Later the priest asked the congregation if they had ever seen an Easter service like that one!"

Firefighters told praised the congregation for their speedy actions.

Watch commander Andy Luinen, pictured, from Newcastle fire station, said: "They showed great presence of mind, firstly to use a foam extinguisher to put out the flames and then to make such an orderly evacuation from the church, which meant no-one was hurt.

"Something had been burned and the materials had not been put out fully before being thrown into the bin. It smouldered and finally ignited the plastic during the second mass at mid-morning.

"Part of the building was left heavily smoke damaged."

Firefighters took the bin outside and dowsed it in a water bucket.

They then used heat-seeking cameras to make sure there were no other potential flash-points, and that the building was safe enough for worshippers to resume their prayers.