Exhausted fire crews were given welcome relief when an ice cream van arrived on the moors with free cones and lollies.

Queues formed as the weary emergency workers returned from the burning peatland above Bolton to find the van parked up and dishing out treats.

More than 100 firefighters are currently involved in tackling the blaze which broke out on Winter Hill last Thursday and now spans around three square miles.

Crews are working in blistering heat and smoky conditions in full protective gear as the heatwave stretches on.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Donations of food, drink and snacks have flooded into local fire stations for both Lancashire and Greater Manchester services.

However, one local firm went one better and drove their ice cream van up to the scene near the fire, offering them cones and other treats as respite from their back-breaking work.

Holden's and Co Ice cream, based in Edgworth, have spent several hours over the past two days at the relief area where firefighters are based.

And they say they have proved a big hit with the Ice Cream man from the family-owned business. Owner Richard Cort, 62, said they were running out of ice cream with extra supplies having to be brought in.

And today queues were seen at the side of the van as firefighters waited to get their hands on a refreshing treat.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Richard’s daughter Lucy Cort, 32, said they were both in awe of the dedication and bravery shown by the fire crews and wanted to do something for them.

She told the M.E.N: “We just decided, they’re working bloody hard in horrible conditions.

“We live in Lostock and have seen the flames and the smoke has come really close to us. It’s not been a pretty sight so we wanted to do something to help.

“And who doesn’t like ice cream?”

Lucy says the firm, which her family took over in 2010, at first were encountering some difficulties getting close to firefighters given the conditions and the road closures put in place by the police.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

However they have managed to get up on the moors for the several hours the last few days.

“We contacted the fire service over the weekend but we were told we’d struggle to get near.

“But for the last two days my dad has been up there. He’s managed to get to a good spot where the firefighters are coming down to get supplies, and are changing over their shifts.

“And I think they’re all chuffed.

“I know everyone has been really generous and they’re being well fed and watered, but this is just a nice treat for them and a little distraction from the hard work.”

(Image: Joel Goodman)

The operation to bring the fire on the West Pennine Moors is now in its seventh day after blazes on Winter Hill, above Chorley, and Horrocks Farm at Scout Road, to the north of Bolton, merged on Saturday and are being treated as one major incident.

Crews saying they are still working to damp down hot spots and smouldering areas of moorland with helicopters being used to dump water on them from above.