FIREFIGHTERS battled against moorland fires across East Lancashire throughout the Bank Holiday weekend.

The driest March for over 100 years and hot April sunshine were said to be major contributors to the fires, which have caused extensive damage.

During Good Friday fire crews from Burnley, Nelson and Padiham dealt with blazes at Hambledon Hill above Hapton and at Waddington Fell near Clitheroe.

As the weather cooled on Saturday and the winds gathered pace, fire spread over the hills surrounding the Rossendale Valley and at the Coal Clough Wind Farm near Cliviger, Burnley.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "It seems to have been the result of dry weather and the wind did not help us.

"A crew was called out to Rossendale at 4.30am on Saturday, but had to wait until daylight before it could start fighting the fire from two sides."

Fires were reported at moors above Greendale Avenue in Newchurch, Burnley Road East in Waterfoot and Todmorden Road in Bacup.

The fires were said to be set deep in the roots of grass and heather and therefore harder to extinguish.

Several trees and bushes have been destroyed by the fires.

Sub officer Mark Woodward said: "The fires were deep rooted and peat underneath the grass was burning.

"It will carry on burning until we have a really good downpour."

On the moors above Burnley fire quickly spread and four pumps were needed to try and bring the fire under control. Crews stayed until midnight on Saturday and returned yesterday morning to make sure the fire did not start again.

A spokesman for Burnley firefighters said: "The moors are tinder dry because we haven't had any substantial rain this winter.

"All of Lancashire is dry and all we can hope for is rain.

"It will take long persistent rain to prevent more fires."