A FIRE alert has gone out on moors above Huddersfield.

Signs warning people to take extra care to prevent fires are going up on moorland in the Peak District National Park, including at Meltham and Holmfirth.

The heatwave has dried out the moors, making them especially vulnerable to fires which harm wildlife, destroy plants and cause erosion.

The area can then take years to recover.

A blaze caused by a camp fire damaged 6,000 square metres of moorland at Bleaklow, west of Glossop, Derbyshire, this month.

Drivers are urged not to throw lit cigarette- ends out of cars as these are common causes of upland fires.

Jenny Waller, the park authority's senior ranger, said: "The moors are vulnerable.

"But we're not asking people to stay away. They can come and walk or climb, as long as they make sure they don't accidentally start a fire.

"We just ask people to be responsible, such as not stubbing cigarettes out in the peat.

"We also ask people not to light camp fires or leave any litter that is likely to cause fires."

She added: "Ground- nesting birds are vulnerable to moorland fires, which strip the vegetation from the peat. This washes away in the rain causing long-lasting erosion and ruins the enjoyment of people who come out to enjoy the special landscape of the Peak District National Park."

Fire warning signs have been put up by the National Park Authority, landowners - including the National Trust and United Utilities, which has a number of reservoirs in the area - and gamekeepers responsible for the moors.

Rangers are carrying out extra patrols and a fires operations group is ready to tackle fires in remote areas.