WILDLIFE lovers devoted the weekend to the task of rescuing any wildlife that managed to survive the Upton Heath fire.

An area of 200 acres – around 130 football pitches – was destroyed by Thursday’s blaze at the designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Nicki Brunt, Dorset Wildlife Trust living landscapes manager for urban and east, spoke after a day’s work at the site on Saturday.

“We’ve been out across the area just trying to rescue any reptiles that we came across, which is about all we can do at the moment,” she said.

“We’re talking small figures – probably about 10 lizards with a group of about 10 of us out there today. We’ve also got some reptile specialists that have come out to help. They got a sand snake and four sand lizards.”

Experts, with help from local volunteers, moved what reptiles they found to unaffected areas of the heath.

Apart from the occasional rabbit, there was little sign of larger animals. But there were plenty of spiders and ants to supply food to whatever reptiles had found shelter from the blaze.

Ms Brunt thanked the public for the supportive comments and offers of help the trust had received.

Volunteers will be joining the professionals all this week to cover the site. Conservationists have said it could take 20-30 years for the site to properly recover.

“We need to look forward and do what we can,” Nicki Brunt said.

“You’ve got some areas of fire damage that have come back within a matter of years. It’s not what it was, but it’s enough to support a fair regeneration of wildlife.

“A lot of it will be about allowing some of it to regenerate naturally but keeping a check on the more invasive species.”

Anyone who wants to offer help should call the Urban Wildlife Centre on 01202 692033 or visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Firefighters are revisiting the site for inspections several times a day.

Police are still looking for two young men who were seen leaving Upton Heath before the fire.

One was wearing a grey T-shirt and blue jeans, and the other wore a long blue sweatshirt and dark blue trousers.

They were spotted walking toward the A35 footbridge leading to Heights Road in Upton.

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 01202 222 222.