BOSSES who scrapped the ranger service at the Dovestone Reservoir beauty spot have been slammed by locals after a large fire broke out on Thursday night.

Firefighters struggled to reach the burning moorland grass in their vehicles and eventually managed to bring the blaze under control.

The cause of the outbreak is so far unknown, but it occurred after a sustained spell of dry and sunny weather.

Villagers of Dovestone have waged a campaign against visitors lighting barbecues, which have subsequently been made unlawful.

Even when the rangers were in place there were numerous incidents of illegal barbecues taking place and now locals believe impromptu fires are more likely because no-one is there.

The outcry in Oldham and in other areas of Greater Manchester and Lancashire vulnerable to moorland fires has been such that the Co-op has launched a campaign to put end to the sale of disposable barbecues.

During the hot summer of 2018 Saddleworth was blighted by a blaze which raged through most of the summer.

It could be seen from space and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service needed help the Army to bring it under control.

Regardless of this, visitors continue to flock to Dovestone - particularly during good weather - and as well as casual barbecues, choked up roads and illegal parking have become major issues.

Green campaigner and Dovestone resident Brian Banawich told The Oldham Times: "It was 10pm on Thursday night and I was in the Dovestone car park. I could see a small fire and one of my neighbours called the fire service.

"Within very short time it was blazing. A fire engine turned up at the car park, but had to turn back because it could not get near enough.

"It went up to Bin Green but it still could only get to within about 500 yards of the fire.

"It blazed for two hours, and eventually they managed to put it out."

Mr Banawich said the incident underlines the need for rangers at the beauty spot.

He went on: "This just shows how crazy it is to withdraw the ranger service in this area. We already had a big problem and it's only going to get worse, especially if the dry weather continues.

"The other day, I was out walking and I found a bag of barbecue coals left lying around. I had no hesitation in putting it straight in the bin."

Another local who did not wish to be named said: "The decision to withdraw the ranger service is bonkers, as demonstrated by this fire."

As reported by The Oldham Times, The Peak District National Park has said closing of ranger services at Dovestone was the result of financial savings required by the National Park Authority following impacts of Covid-19 on income across the last year, and ongoing financial resources available to support operations.

It said: "This decision does not affect existing support already provided by the site’s owners and managers; RSPB, United Utilities and Oldham Council.

"The implemented changes have taken place following consultation with staff, members and union representatives at the National Park Authority and the site partners.

"The authority remains committed to partnership working at Dovestone as a key location within the National Park, despite the closure of these localised services."