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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Andrew Bardsley

People are STILL having barbecues on Saddleworth Moor - despite constant warnings

People are still trying to bring barbecues onto Saddleworth Moor even after the huge fire which engulfed the area earlier this year.

Police confirmed they confiscated a further five barbecues from people near Dovestones on Easter Sunday.

It comes just a day after marshals had to extinguish a barbecue which had become out of control at the beauty spot, as people make the most of the glorious Easter weather.

There is a strict ban on barbecues in the area, but the prohibition continues to be flouted.

Any barbecues ignited on the floor can cause a risk of setting alight the nearby 'tinder dry' moorland, officials warn.

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On the GMP Saddleworth and Lees page, officers said: "5 Barbecues confiscated from people trying to access the Dove Stone site.

"Marshals and Police are working together with the Rangers Service.

"Very large numbers of people coming into the site but no issues and all flowing through."

After the incident on Saturday, officers on the same account said: "Dovestone marshals have just extinguished a barbecue at Chew Track, Dove Stone.

The warnings come days after a huge fire at Lyme Park (Cllr Steve Gribbon)

"This one had been set in the floor risking igniting the tinder dry vegetation surrounding it.

"No matter how many times we tell people they still attempt to cook food over open flames in a critical fire danger area.

"The message is clear and simple.

"No Barbecues at Dove Stone, No fires, No excuses!"

The warnings come days after a huge fire at Lyme Park in Cheshire.

About two square kilometres of moorland was engulfed by the blaze, as firefighters from Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Derbyshire raced to the scene.

Firefighters worked through the night in February to battle a 1.5km long blaze on moorland between Diggle in Oldham and Marsden in West Yorkshire.

Greater Manchester experienced the worst wildfires in its history last June when Saddleworth Moor around Tameside and Winter Hill near Bolton burned for more than three weeks.

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