ACTION needs to be urgently taken to restore a fire-hit moorland to its former glory.

Around 1,000 acres of Marsden Moor were devastated by a suspected arson incident in April.

Wildlife and their habitat was destroyed and the National Trust, which manages the moor, is calling on people to help.

Although Close Moss, near to the A62, is covered in swathes of purple, it is not the heather moorland it once was.

Instead, purple moor grass has sprouted and if no action is taken it will quickly prevent the more desirable species, including heather and bilberry, from being able to establish and grow.

Purple moor grass is also a poor habitat for birds to nest and breed in or to feed from.

Throughout September the National Trust is calling for volunteers to help them spread heather seed before it’s too late.

Judith Patrick, property manager at Marsden Moor, said “It is a big push for September. We are trying to get as many people involved as possible.

“So many people were very upset by the extensive damage caused by the fire and wanted to help.

“I think people will be surprised how much work is needed to help an area like this recover.”

Volunteers will be spreading heather seed on the damaged areas to help some heather to establish before it is too late and before the purple moor grass has grown too dense. Some heather seed will be bought in, but to be as sustainable as possible, the National Trust will be collecting seed from the Marsden Moor Estate.

Every weekend in September an event will be taking place giving people the chance to help restore the moor.

Public work days will be for either planting cottongrass on to bare peat, or collecting heather seed ready for spreading. Community groups will also be getting involved.

These are the days you can help:

Sunday September 4 10.30am – cottongrass planting, meeting at White Moss.

Saturday 10 2.30pm – heather seed collecting, meeting at Brun Clough.

Sunday 18 – end of season plant sale and moorland information day. Between 11am and 2pm at the Marsden Moor Office.

Saturday 25 2.30pm – Heather seed collecting meeting at Brun Clough.

Call the Marsden Moor office on 01484 847016 or visit the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/marsdenmoor