FIREFIGHTERS spent nearly seven hours battling a blaze at a vast conservation area in Horwich.

Crews from Horwich and Bolton Central fire stations were called to Red Moss off Chorley New Road at around midday yesterday. They tackled a fire covering an area of around 400 metres by 300 metres at a site which includes grassland, mossland and peat.

Horwich Watch Manager, Glyn McGann said he believed the hot sun may have sparked the fire.

The site is a rare habitat for 11 species of bog moss, dragonflies and birds such as the short-eared owl.