NEW disposable barbecue bins have been installed at two Weymouth beauty spots, in a bid to avoid a repeat of the devastation of last year's Wareham Forest fire.

Weymouth Town Council has installed new disposable barbecue bins in the Nothe Gardens by the picnic benches, and Lodmoor Country Park on the events area, to reduce the risks of children and animals hurting themselves and to lower the chances of wildfire spreading. Both beauty spots already have designated disposable barbecue slabs.

The installation of the bins follows a plea by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service for people to dispose of disposable barbecues safely or to bring a picnic instead to reduce the risk of wildfire. Last year, hundreds of acres of forest and heathland in Wareham Forest was destroyed in a blaze which was believed to have been started by a disposable barbecue.

Dorset Echo: New disposable barbecue bins have been installed in the Nothe Gardens and Lodmoor Country Park Picture: Weymouth Town CouncilNew disposable barbecue bins have been installed in the Nothe Gardens and Lodmoor Country Park Picture: Weymouth Town Council

A spokesman for Weymouth Town Council said: "The council works hard to keep its public spaces safe and welcoming. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our great outdoors, and we've installed barbecue bins to ensure that young children and animals don't get burnt and wildlife has a home."

Last month, supermarket giant Tesco banned the sale of a specific type of disposable barbecue in Dorset following concerns by local residents that the messaging on the packaging of the 'forest friendly' zip disposable barbecue could be encouraging people to have barbecues in forests.

A spokesman for Weymouth Town Council said: "If you do use a disposable barbecue, please take these steps to avoid grilling more than your food:

  • Always position the disposable barbecue on an even surface. Designated barbecue slabs are available in Lodmoor Country Park on the events area and the Nothe Gardens by the picnic benches.
  • Do not place a barbecue directly on the grass as this causes damage.
  • Keep away from children, pets, wooden fencing, sheds, hedges, dry grass, trees and vegetation to avoid potential burns or fire risks.
  • Extinguish your barbecue with water and let it cool down before packing away.
  • Dispose of your barbecue correctly in a designated barbecue bin and take your rubbish home with you. Barbecue bins are located at Lodmoor Country Park on the events area and the Nothe Gardens by the picnic benches."