UP to 30 firefighters battled to for more than two hours to bring a moorland blaze near Dovestone Reservoir under control early yesterday evening (Wednesday, April 18).

Crews from Mossley, Oldham and Chadderton were joined by wild fire units from Stalybridge and Bolton North fire stations after fire broke out at Bank Lane, Greenfield, as warm Spring weather finally kicked in following a hard winter.

The teams used forced air firefighting units, 12 beaters and three backpack units to tackle the blaze.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the cause of the fire was unknown. The incident was closed at 7.15pm.

In a separate incident earlier in the day, crews from Oldham, Hollins and the wild fire unit from Stalybridge station were called out to tackle two grass fires below the war memorial at Pots and Pans, Saddleworth.

Figrefighters spent around an hour dowsing the areas, using a 4x4 vehicle to access the remote locations and specialist equipment at around 11am.