A LEADING firefighter is warning walkers and picnickers to be careful on Bolton's moorland this weekend.

Temperatures are expected to reach 70F on Saturday as the early summer weather continues.

But with the sun comes an increased risk of moorland fires and firefighters - who on Wednesday tackled a blaze near Rivington - are asking people to be careful.

Ian Duckworth, watch commander at Bolton Central fire station, said moorland fires sap fire brigade resources and are avoidable.

Mr Duckworth said: "With the weather being so warm at the moment it does not take much to ignite the grass.

"Carelessly discarding a cigarette, camp fires and barbecues can all cause a fire and they can spread quickly.

"Every year there are also a number of moorland fires which are started deliberately by children, so parents need to be aware of what they are up to.

"The fires can devastate large areas of land and destroy homes for wildlife, including some rare species, so it is very important people think about their actions."

More than 50 firefighters were called to tackle a blaze between Belmont Road and Winter Hill on Wednesday evening.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The fire service advises people to not drop cigarettes, to put out barbecues with water and to avoid camp fires.

Last year there were a series of moorland fires across Bolton including a blaze on land off Scout Road, Smithills at the end of March.

The most serious blaze of the last few years happened in April, 2003, when a huge fire spread across more than 20 square miles of moorland.

At the height of the blaze, 100 firefighters battled the fire for more than six hours on land off Belmont Road, between Tockholes and Belmont Village. Crews from Bolton Central and Bolton North joined firefighters from Darwen, Burnley, Accrington and Blackpool to tackle the blaze.