Fireworks, barbecues and sky lanterns banned at Clipstone beauty spot

The hard-hitting move comes after a catalogue of fire-related incidents during lockdown at the Green Flag award-winning Vicar Water Country Park.

Firefighters were called to a blaze at the park in June last year after an illegal firework display sparked fires on two separate pieces of grassland.

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Other incidents include a grassy heathland the size of two football pitches being destroyed in an arson attack, park signs and a bench targeted by yobs and the remains of a fire discovered following Bonfire Night.

Now Newark & Sherwood District Council has approved a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) banning folk from lighting fires, barbecues, Chinese lanterns, fireworks or objects posing a fire risk.

The order has won the support of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Nottinghamshire Police, Clipstone Parish Council and the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and covers the whole park.

Anyone who flouts it could be hit with a fine of up to £100.

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Coun Roger Jackson, chairman of the council’s Leisure and Environment Committee, said: “Vicar Water has been subject to some appalling acts of fire damage and the introduction of the PSPO is a positive step, especially as we go into the summer months.

"We want our parks to be safe places that can be enjoyed and the new Order will give more officers the power to tackle such irresponsible behaviour.”

Nearby resident Wayne Swiffin welcomed the move to help ‘protect an important beauty spot widely used by the community’.

“People really do have to take responsibility for their actions,” he said.