The Royal Parks, which is responsible for Bushy Park and Richmond Park has issued a warning about the dangers of using BBQs on the eve of an unseasonal heatwave.

Their concern is justified as accidental fires started from embers and ash falling from disposable BBQs have caused significant harm.

"Fires are often started when people have positioned their BBQs under the shade of large trees, which could be hundreds of years old. Many have become hollow over time and when a fire starts they act as a chimney, causing the fire to spread through the tree rapidly, destroying the tree and killing animals," said a spokesperson.

At Richmond Park, an important habitat for wildlife and a National Nature Reserve, trees of up to 700-years-old have gone up in flames following accidental fires caused by BBQs

"Accidental fires caused by using BBQs during the heatwave could have disastrous consequences for wildlife, destroying veteran trees, annihilating wild-flower seed banks and harming or even killing birds and mammals, warns The Royal Parks.

Adam Curtis, Park Manager for Richmond Park, said: "In some areas of the park we've seen centuries of biodiversity wiped out because of a fire caused by a BBQ.

"We've lost veteran trees and even if the tree survives the fire will burn out the decaying wood within. This important habitat supports over 1,000 different species of insects and their larvae which can be destroyed. Birds will fly off but sadly baby birds will die, as will roosting bats."

"Grassland fires spread quickly and set off a chain reaction. In fallen deadwoods I've found burnt grass snake eggs and stag beetle larvae. Invertebrates in the grass also get burnt - mammals will run off but their nests get burnt.

"The grass dies as does any seed bank. Often what grows back is a different composition of species and if more aggressive rye grasses get in, then we tend to find the grass loses some of its wildlife value.

"Worryingly we do get BBQs put into bins when still alight and I've had to put out bin fires. On one occasion a car was parked next to the bin and I have no doubt it would have caught fire if I hadn't got there in time."

Dennis Clarke, Head of Park Services for The Royal Parks, added: "We understand the temptation to use beautiful green spaces for barbeques, but hot coals and dry grass don't mix. During the hot weather the hot grass in the parks is like tinder.

"No-one ever believes it'll be their barbeque that causes a fire, but fires can start easily and rapidly get out of control especially in thewilder, more secluded parks.

"Fires quickly become very dangerous, and are a risk to visitors and wildlife. We ask everyone to respect the ban on barbeques, to keep visitors safe and protect wildlife."

See the full statement from The Royal Parks [l]https://www.royalparks.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases/bbqs[l+]here.