TINDER-dry conditions across the Moors and Dales have led to fire warnings from the region's two national parks.

Two hundred acres of heather moors near Sheepwash, between Swainby and Osmotherley on the North York Moors, were damaged by three days of fires this week.

Gamekeepers and farmers joined firefighters to tackle the blaze, which broke out on moorland which is home to grouse, golden plover, lapwing and curlew.

Jimmy Shuttleworth, head gamekeeper for the Snilesworth Estate, said: "We saw smoke rising on Sunday afternoon. By the time we got there, the fire was well under way. We think a campfire or barbecue was to blame, although we don't think it was malicious. A group of people had apparently wandered away from the main Sheepwash car park to have their own fire.

"This is an important time of year. Birds are nesting and laying eggs, and farmers are busy elsewhere with lambs," he said. "We welcome responsible visitors, but we'll have to be especially watchful over Easter. Another concern is that, with the new right to roam laws, people will go further off the beaten track."

Also this week, fires were reported at Grosmont on Tuesday, when ten fire engines were called out to deal with a 30-hectare fire, and other incidents were reported at Goathland and Lockton.

Moors national park spokesman Mike Pratt said: "The risk of fire is very real. Even if we get rain as forecast on Sunday, the water will run straight off the moors as the ground is bone-dry. The public needs to be very vigilant even after the holiday weekend."

Visitors should not light fires or barbecues, and cigarette and glass bottles were also dangerous. All litter, especially glass, should be taken home.

Dales authority spokesman Andrew Osborne said Wharfedale's Barden Moor and Fell were closed, following a request from Bolton Abbey Estate. Great care was needed across the Dales.

Visitors to the moors around the Teesdale, Weardale and Cumbria borders are also being urged to be extra careful when out and about during the Easter weekend.

Chris McCarty, site manager for English Nature in the North Pennines, said the moors were much drier than usual for the time of year and asked walkers to take extra care.

His comments were backed up by group fire control officer Brian Mitchelhill, who is based in Cumbria.

"The moors around the county borders are tinder dry at the moment and I urge caution when using flammable materials such as camping stoves or discarded cigarettes," he said