AS the school holiday goes into its second weekend, and with the weather set to remain good, warnings are going out for users of the Malvern Hills to be careful about fires and to stay out of the Gulley Quarry lake.

On Bank Holiday Monday, firefighters were called out to the hills after a fire broke out in some bushes.

Although the cause of the fire is not yet known, Stephen Bound, director of Malvern Hills Conservators, is urging visitors to do nothing that could start another blaze.

He said: "We don't allow barbecues that rest on the grass because of the risk of fire and the damage to the habitat, and if people do use barbecues, we urge them to make sure they are well doused when they finish. And of course people must be very careful with cigarette butts."

He also urged people not to discard glass bottles that can focus the sun's rays. "Of course, we don't want any littering on the hills, but glass bottle are particularly unwelcome.

Mr Bound also reminded people that swimming in the Gullet Quarry lake was dangerous as well as being against the bye-laws.

Two years ago, two young men, Justas Juzenas, aged 22, of Ross-on-Wye, and Russell O’Neill, aged 17, of Ronkswood, Worcester, died within a week of each other after getting into trouble in the quarry’s lake.

"Our wardens were going up there at the weekend, and the fire brigade as well, and there were people at the quarry, but no-one was in the water," he said. "I think it wasn't quite warm enough yet, buy nonetheless, we will be keeping an eye on the quarry."

Mr Bound's comments were echoed by the Royal Life Saving Society UK, which said that jumping into water with low temperature can cause the body to have a cold shock response, resulting in a number of involuntary physiological responses including difficulty in moving limbs and a sudden gasp which can mean water is breathed in.

Mike Dunn, the society's acting director of volunteers and community education, Mike Dunn, said: “With the predicted nice weather we want people to go out and enjoy the water safely and we advise people to swim at open water sites where there are lifeguards to help keep swimmers safe. We also ask people to think water safety at home and follow our tips.

“So, make the most of the weather but listen to advice and do so responsibly, don’t let a weekend of fun become a tragedy.”

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to the hill fire at 5.24pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

The fire was located on the eastern side of the hills and crews used special equipment to reach the site, including the Land Rover 130 and eight-wheel Argocat.

The blaze covered around a 90m by 60m area of bracken and trees on the side of the hills.

Fire crews in the specialist equipment used tree beaters and backpacks to extinguish the blaze and left the scene at about 7.30pm.

The Met Office is predicting that the weather will remain mainly dry and fine today (Friday), but with thicker cloud and light rain possible later. A fresh breeze is set to move in over the weekend but there should still be good sunny spells, although some rain is possible on Sunday.