FIREFIGHTERS spent four hours tackling a huge moorland blaze on the border of Bolton and Blackburn.

Fire crews from Lancashire and Bolton joined forces to deal with the fire which spread across 60 acres of land at Longworth Road, Egerton.

Up to 35 firefighters, including two crews from Bolton, a crew from Chorley and two from Darwen, were involved in controlling the blaze, which started at 1.30pm yesterday.

Flames were also reported at Scout Road, Smithills, and Bolton Road, Tockholes.

The grass fire is the first in Bolton this year after last summer saw some of the worst grass blazes the area has seen.

Sub-officer Peter Stephenson, from Bolton North fire station, said: "This fire was out within four hours and we are not expecting it to rekindle as it is too early in the year and the grass is not dry enough yet."

Last April fire chiefs said spring grass fires in the Bolton area were the worst they had experienced for 30 years.

Many of the fires, which raged through the Belmont, Rivington and Edgworth areas, were believed to have been started deliberately by children or by walkers carelessly discarding cigarettes.

Fire crews had to monitor the area and police mounted extra patrols.

Firefighters were forced to constantly monitor the Belmont moors and extra police patrols were mounted around the clock to warn ramblers of the dangers of starting fires and to keep a lookout for young fire starters in an attempt to prevent more blazes destroying over 10 years of conservation work.