RAMSBOTTOM firefighters drove all the way to the top of Holcombe Hill to spread their latest fire prevention message.

A local Easter tradition entails people walking up the hill on Good Friday to take in the view from the Peel Monument.

But with the UK emerging from lockdown, combined with the recent fine weather, there are fears that there could be a repeat of the devastating moorland fires in the summer of 2018, when large blazes ripped across miles of Lancashire countryside.

GMFRS’ area manager, Paul Duggan, head of prevention, said: “The memories of the moorland fires in 2018 remain fresh in the mind of everyone involved, from our firefighters who worked incredibly hard to put the fires out, to the residents who were forced from their homes.

“Moorland and wildfires can be started in a number of ways. Sadly, many fires in the countryside are started deliberately, however, some can break out by people being careless with barbecues, campfires or not disposing of cigarettes properly.

“Our message is strong and clear - never have a barbecue or campfire on the moors or start a fire deliberately wherever you are in the UK. Many people think it’s just the flame from a barbecue that sets the moorland on fire, but it’s actually the heat from the disposable barbecue that often sets peat and dry moorland alight.”

They have been putting up important notices to help prevent fires.

Please enjoy the warm weather responsibly ☀️

👉Take litter home

👉No barbecues or camp fires

👉Ensure smoking materials are completely extinguished