BRITAIN'S fire minister has visited Lancashire firefighters to say thank you for the work done during the Winter Hill blaze.

Nick Hurd said he was "honoured" to meet with crews at the service's training centre in Chorley to hear about their experiences and the tactics the used to tackle the fire, which raged for more than three weeks.

The blaze caused an issue for fire and rescue services because resources had already been stretched by the Saddleworth moor fire.

Mr Hurd, said: “The tireless efforts of firefighters in Lancashire and Greater Manchester and their partners to contain wildfires over the last month have been astounding.

“The Winter Hill and Saddleworth Moor fires were some of the most severe in living memory, and I’m grateful to our firefighters for tackling these fires so effectively and ensuring no one was hurt.

“I was honoured to meet some of the men and women involved this week and thank them in person for their continued service to their local communities.”

Chris Kenny, chief fire officer at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I was pleased to welcome the Minister and for him to hear first-hand, the challenges our firefighters faced in bringing the Winter Hill moorland fire under control.

“Crews worked long hours in extremely hot and difficult conditions, supported by partners from the public and voluntary sectors. Undeterred, their efforts contained the fire, protected the vital TV transmitter at the top of the hill and threats to life and property were avoided.”

“Despite the devastation this moorland fire has caused, the way in which all those involved pulled together is something of which Lancashire can be rightfully proud.”

Mr Kenny went on to repeat pleas for people to stop using disposal barbecues or potentially causing fires.

He added: added: “Unfortunately we are also attending wildfires in other areas of the county. My plea to residents and visitors is to take real care and be extra vigilant when outdoors. Disposable BBQs, discarded cigarettes and even rubbish left on the ground can all start a fire.”