Northumberland forest wildfires prompt barbecue plea

Firefighters have spent the weekend battling wildfires in Northumberland.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service was called to Fourlaws Forest near Bellingham on Friday, where an area of trees and moorland was ablaze, and remained on the scene for 24 hours.

They returned on Sunday to deal with a further flare up, and remain on site to dampen down hot spots.

The wildfire risk remains high, with visitors urged to act responsibly - and bring a picnic not a barbecue.

An area of approximately 180,000sqm of standing trees and moorland was affected by the fires.

Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team also assisted, and deployed its drone to give an aerial perspective on the extent to which the fire had been contained and dampened down.

The fire service urged people to behave responsibly.

A spokesperson said: "We have had a very, very dry Spring and people have to be careful.

"Don't have barbecues where fire could spread, don't throw cigarette ends down - don't be irresponsible.

"Be particularly careful and responsible, because the damage fires can cause to the landscape is immense."

Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].