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Shocking images show devastation following Saddleworth Moor fires

Saddleworth Moors after the blaze last week.

These are shocking scenes of numbing devastation that were left by fires that ripped through moors above Saddleworth last week.

The pictures were taken by keen wildlife enthusiast, Greg Barratt, a spare-time hiker, at a section of moorland stretching from Brun Clough through to the Wassenden Valley. 
 
Greg, who reported the second blaze on the moor last week, said: "It's heart breaking to see the devastation caused by reckless people. 
 
“These areas are hot spots for Golden plover. Now they are left as blackened moor with just remnants of vole holes and runs. 
 
“The terror these animals had to endure isn't measurable.  The smell is overpowering, and as I was on Pennine Way, walkers were asking what had happened.  
 
“The number of insects, mammals, birds and nests destroyed is horrendous. Crows are scanning for corpses.  It's quite a sad site. The odd lapwing and curlew pass through land, then immediately take off to better pastures.” 
 
He added:” I’m a very sad man Let's hope we can stop this devilment.” 

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