The fires started on extremely dry grass

Firefighters from across Teesside spent Thursday night tackling a series of moorland fires across two square miles at Eston Hills.

The hills are situated to the south of Middlesbrough's suburbs of Eston and Normanby, and are a prominent feature of Teesside.

A total of 12 fire crews were needed to tackle a series of fires, and Cleveland Fire Brigade is warning visitors to the countryside to take extra care when out on the moors over Easter.

Fire engines from the Grangetown, Redcar, Middlesbrough and Marine fire stations were on the scene to tackle a number of fires.

Tony Marwood, from Cleveland Fire Brigade, said moor fires, which start among tinder-dry grasses, prove difficult to tackle.

District manager for the fire brigade in Middlesbrough, Tony Marwood, said: "They are not too serious individually, but when you have the combined effect of six or seven fires at the same time it is a problem."

Cleveland Fire Brigade is warning people to be aware of the risk of fire over the Easter weekend, as during the prolonged spring drought, moorland has become extremely dry.