Trees were destroyed in a deliberate fire on the Squirrel Walk in Formby

A large area of the National Trust Squirrel Walk at Formby was set alight by vandals on Saturday night, 18th February 2017.

Many trees were damaged by the fire and several have been felled because they were badly burnt.

Kate Martin, Lead Ranger at Formby said: “We were very concerned about the two fires which occurred in Squirrel Walk and on Sandfield Path last weekend. The lighting of fires is not permitted on the National Trust’s site at Formby. Not only is it extremely dangerous to anyone involved and to our visitors, but fires can easily get out of hand, spread quickly and cause huge damage to the surrounding woodland, home to nesting birds, wildlife and our colony of red squirrels."

Kate went on to say: "Several trees were indeed damaged due to the fire in Squirrel Walk, and we would like to thank the Fire Brigade which dealt with both fires so promptly”.

The rangers endured a frustrating morning on Monday 20th February when they were continuing clearing up after the large fire.