THE brave efforts of those who tackled the 41-day Winter Hill fire this summer have been recognised by Bolton Council.

Town hall chiefs congratulated representatives from Lancashire and Greater Manchester fire services, the authority's neighbourhood, regulatory and highways teams, armed forces personnel and Bolton Mountain Rescue at Wednesday's full council meeting.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Elaine Sherrington said: "I would like to acknowledge that there have been many more organisations, both locally and nationally, who have been involved in the tremendous effort to put out the fires."

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to all involved on behalf of the people of Bolton. You have worked incredibly hard in extremely difficult conditions. Thank you all. It’s been an amazing team effort.”

Council leader Linda Thomas also paid tribute. She said: "We are absolutely indebted to them, I have not experienced a fire as serious as this burning up on the moors from my memory.

"Firefighters are an extraordinarily dedicated group of people at any time but this was over and above the call of duty."