FIREFIGHTERS from across Lancashire battled for six hours to put out a moorland blaze that swept over two square miles of Anglezarke.

The cause of the blaze was under investigation today.

Crews from Chorley, Blackburn, Bamber Bridge and Leyland used fire beaters to tackle the blaze at the Brinscall end of the woodland.

Moorland terrain prevented fire engines getting to the scene.

No one was injured in the incident and no animals are thought to have been hurt.

Chorley Station Commander David Johnston said: "It was quite a large incident. The fire was travelling a couple of metres a minute."

Once the fire was out, a police helicopter flew over the affected area. A thermal imaging camera in the helicopter was used to check that the fire was totally out. It is thought the fire spread so rapidly because the weather was windy and because the grass was so dry. The moorland terrain also hindered firefighters from getting to the blaze easily.