GRASS in Haslam Park had to be put out after a large area of lawn went up in flames yesterday afternoon.

A spokesman for Bolton Central fire station said: “It was about 50m by 100m so it’s big for people who are just in the park.

It’s not known whether the fire was deliberate but was put out quickly by firefighters using grass beaters to dampen the flames.

The spokesman said: “It’s hard to say [if it was deliberate], these usually are kids messing about.”

Unfortunately, unless people are caught in the act it is difficult for the emergency services to catch the perpetrators.

He added: “The grass fire season’s started early this year.”

Firefighters were called to the park in Bolton’s Wigan Road at around 3.10pm.