A BAN on barbecues on Exmoor has been called for by West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger.

Mr Liddell-Grainger says the national park authority needs to do more to protect against wildfires.

On Tuesday, the authorities on Dartmoor announced a complete ban on barbecues and open fires within the park boundary amid fears of an extreme fire risk.

Mr Liddell-Grainger believes Exmoor should follow Dartmoor’s lead as a matter of urgency.

Two-thirds of Exmoor lies within his Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency and, he says, could be devastated by a catastrophic fire as a result of a single stray spark.

So far, the only warning from the national park authority is on its website where visitors are asked not to light fires or barbecues outside designated areas.

But Mr Liddell-Grainger says: “Under the present circumstances it is not safe to have any naked flames anywhere.

“The park authority needs to announce a total ban so people are made well aware of the current level of risk.

“The fire service is desperately worried about the situation and it is vital that we impress its severity to visitors arriving on Exmoor.

“I doubt many of them are going to consult the website before doing so and although I am certain responsible camping and caravan site owners will be enforcing their own bans we need to take into account people who are indulging in wild camping or merely picnicking.

“At the very least we need large warning signs posted on all the main roads leading into the national park.

“It is not a huge job and it could prevent serious damage to countryside and properties.”

Two weeks ago Mr Liddell-Grainger called on retailers to withdraw portable barbecues from sale and some, including Marks and Spencer, have done so.

However, Mr Liddell-Grainger says: “As long as they remain available some people will be tempted to buy and use them.

“The very least we can do is to ensure their careless use does not lead to some of our most cherished landscapes being reduced to smoking devastation.”