Park trust bans barbecues due to wildfire fears

A park trust has banned barbecues and campfires because of the increased risk of wildfires as the hot weather and dry conditions continue.

Peterborough's Nene Park Trust says the temporary ban, which comes into force on Thursday, applies across Ferry Meadows until further notice.

The trust said recent heatwaves had left grass and other vegetation extremely dry, increasing the risk of a fire spreading rapidly.

Three weeks ago, a small grass fire in the park required a response from the emergency services, a spokesperson added.

Barbecue stands will be covered, while additional signs and increased evening security patrols will be introduced to help enforce the ban, the trust says.

A spokesperson said it dealt with a number of barbecue-related incidents every year, including bin stores being set alight when hot ash was disposed of in general waste bins.

Duncan Bridges, director of landscape and conservation at Nene Park Trust, said: "We are highly aware of the increasing numbers of wildfires across the country, including in green spaces not far from us in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

"Moreover, Natural England has recently declared that parts of the UK, including the Midlands, are now at 'exceptional' risk of wildfire.

"We can't delay this decision any longer and hope all our visitors will support us by leaving their barbecues at home this summer."

Major incidents were declared in Conwy, north Wales, and in Glossop, Derbyshire, on Sunday, with firefighters still tackling the flames on Tuesday.

Wildfires over the weekend also affected Hampshire, Durham, West Sussex, East Sussex, Devon and Somerset.

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