TRACKS, trails and bridleways around Winter Hill remain closed as firefighters continue work at the site of the fire.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have sought to clarify the situation after some people attempted to access the area close to Rivington Terraced Gardens off Belmont Road but were turned away.

It comes just a week after the moorland blaze came under full control following three weeks of battling by fire crews from across the country.

The statement from Lancashire Fire and Rescue said: "At this time the tracks, trails and bridleways around the Winter Hill site remain closed but are being constantly reviewed. The movement of emergency service vehicles and personnel continues, presenting a potential hazard to anyone entering the zone and with a likelihood that their presence would adversely affect firefighting activity.

For clarity, Rivington Gardens remains closed and please note the ‘old’ Belmont Road on the top boundary of thegardens remains closed to traffic and the general public on foot and on bicycles between Rivington Road and where it meets Georges Lane.

"Only necessary traffic and access for those with properties on that road is currently permitted until such time as the emergency response (firefighting) has concluded.

"Confusion arose with the announcement that the A675 Belmont Road on the other side of Winter Hill had re-opened to traffic, but though this is still the case the unmade road that is the old road to Belmont remains within the firefighting zone."