FIRE crews have been inundated with calls to put out grass fires.

Firefighters across Leigh, Atherton and Hindley reported that they were almost constantly being called out to put out grass fires, which were believed to have been started deliberately.

And they said that the main culprits who started the grass fires were children, although the dry weather conditions was also a factor.

On Sunday evening, firefighters at Leigh were called to tackle 11 grass fires, and on Monday night they put out 16 grass fire blazes.

Hindley firefighters extinguished eight grass fires on Monday night and Atherton firefighters were just as busy -- putting out 12 grass fires.

A spokesman for Leigh fire station said: "We have been stretched to the limit putting out grass fires. We think that it's kids with matches who are starting these fires. They are not only putting themselves at risk but they are stretching our resources. It could be fatal if we are called to a emergency and we are all tied up putting out grass fires."