FIREFIGHTERS across Warrington and Cheshire are urging residents not to start outdoor fires over the Easter weekend.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue service has seen an increase in 999 calls to fires in gardens which have become out of control or causing nuisance to neighbours.

Crews want people to take care, especially when cooking over the long weekend.

This involves not leaving cooking unattended, not using chip pans to cook food and taking extra care outside when barbecuing.

Nick Evans, head of prevention at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We want everyone to have a happy and safe Easter and we know that things are not great at the moment, so we are not here to spoil anyone’s fun.

“We understand that people are trying to keep busy and are finding things do around the home during lockdown but we want everyone to think about what they are doing and do it safely.

“Our firefighters are available to come and put fires out but the damage and devastation a fire leaves can be immense and may not be something that can be put right overnight.

“Please don’t risk it, at this time, or at any other time.”

Firefighters are now urging people to use some of their free time to plan a family escape route should a fire break out.