Winter Hill fire: Aerial photos show extent of moor fire damage

Aerial photographs have captured the extent of the damage caused by a massive moorland fire near Bolton in Lancashire.

The fire has now been burning for more than a week - prompting a massive response from fire services in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

The fire at Winter Hill covers around 8 sq km running from Belmont Road to Rivington Pike.

Firefighters have been working hard to try to bring the flames under control - maintaining a presence at the fire line 24 hours a day.

Their work is made harder by a huge amount of dust caused by the dry and ferociously hot conditions.

Firefighters battling smoke, heat and flames on the moors have also found evidence of the public behaving irresponsibly.

Members of the public have been urged to keep away and to let firefighters do their job - after a disposable barbecue was found at the site yesterday.

The Woodland Trust has warned that the Winter Hill fire will have 'devastating' impact on rare animals and plants.

The fire came at the height of the birds' breeding season - and many fledglings and nests are thought to have been trapped in the flames.

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• Arsonists spotted starting new fires near scene of massive moorland blaze