VOLUNTEERS are wanted to patrol Upton Heath on the lookout for arsonists like those who sparked last year’s devastating blaze.

Around 20 people have already signed up to Heath Watch and be the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s ‘eyes and ears’, determined to stop such a fire – Dorset’s largest in 35 years – ripping through the heath again.

Dressed in special T-shirts and armed with maps and lists of contact numbers, they hope to protect the recovering land and wildlife.

DWT warden Andy Fale said: “Last June’s fire was devastating and really quite depressing – all the wildlife that was destroyed and all the work that many people had put into the heath was just wiped out in three or four hours.”

Nearly 200 firefighters from across the SouthWest came to face the 30ft flames, which devastated wildlife and threatened to engulf nearby houses. Arsonists struck at the heath at the weekend too, and Mr Fale says the fire season is just beginning.

“We want to get ahead and encourage people who walk on the heath, take their dogs out or exercise on it to get on board,” he said.

“We wardens cannot be there the whole time.”

All people need is a mobile phone, he said, and if they do have to dial 999, the maps will help them direct the emergency services to the nearest gate.

Chris Ramsden, from Creekmoor, was part of a similar scheme 10 years ago.

“It’s our little area of beauty,” he said. “The last thing we want is concrete everywhere. Upton is the opposite of that, it’s our green lung and needs looking after.”

To volunteer for Heath Watch, funded by the £50,000 Upton Heath Appeal money, call 01202 692033 or visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk