A CAMPAIGN designed to stop moorland fires spreading has been launched -- just a year after fires swept across part of East Lancashire.

The Moorland Association's 'Fire Watch' campaign asks visitors to moorland areas to report any fires they see immediately.

It says the traditional 'burning season' is over now, so any fires are likely to be unintentional and uncontrolled.

Fries can be fatal to farm animals and important wildlife, such as the endangered species living in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Last year, fire crews spent weeks dealing with blazes around Winter Hill at Belmont. At its peak, the fire covered a three-mile area.

Smouldering cigarette ends, broken bottles and dropped matches can cause fires, and visitors are being asked to never light fires on moorlands, or use gas stoves and barbecues.

Simon Bostock, chairman of The Moorland Association, said: "Burning in rotation each year helps create the diversity of habitats moorland birds rely on. Crucially, controlled burning creates fire-breaks and reduces the fuel in the event of an uncontrolled fire.

"We urge all visitors to please report any fires now seen to the fire brigade, because the controlled burning season is now over."