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It has been reported in the Sentinel that Firefighters have been called out to dozens of grass fires across North Staffordshire in the last fortnight.

Numbers show that there has been 130 grass fires reported across the area during the school Easter Holidays.

Sandyford tops the list with 39 reports of grass fires during the recent two-week period.

Other areas across the city have suffered similar grass fire incidents including Newcastle with 36, Hanley with 19, Stoke 10, Longton 7, & Kidsgrove 4.

It was further reported in the Sentinel that North Staffordshire saw the highest number of grass fires in the country, which saw 172 reported during the Easter holiday in total, up from 146 last year.

Tom Simpson, Secretary of Sandyford & Goldenhill Residents Association, admitted he was surprised at the figures.

He said: “It is quite a high number”. But the thing about the Sandyford and Goldenhill area is there is a lot of green open space, which is easily accessible to people.

“That might be one of the reasons why the number of incidents has been so high.”

Tom Simpson further added “I did see a few police officers patrolling green areas off James Brindley Way during the Easter holidays, so it’s comforting knowing something is being done to try and prevent this.”