Some years ago, I supported a campaign, led by the New Forest National Park Authority, to try and persuade local retailers not to put on sale disposable barbecue’s.

Whilst most people use them responsibly, in the back garden, a number of people use them out in the countryside where they create a particular risk of setting fire to the nearby vegetation.

The fire we had over the weekend in woodland, between Ashurst and Deerleap enclosure, looks very likely to have been started by one of these, found at the scene.

People use them and don’t take them home because they are too hot to handle, the sparks and embers can start a fire by igniting nearby vegetation after the users have left. Clearly, it is grossly irresponsible but the New Forest Rangers tell me they often find them and indeed, I have seen one myself.

The question is, should the law be changed to ban these items completely? Some local retailers have chosen to be responsible and withdrawn them from sale. Is there a moral duty on the part of all retailers to follow suit?

Photo from Hampshire & IOW Fire Service.