The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has warned of grave consequences for wildlife of the Neston Reedbed fire which ravaged marshland on Saturday night.

The fire, which is believed to have been started deliberately, destroyed a substantial area.

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands' Reserve Team has assessed the damage and found that "about ten hectares of the marsh was burnt in the fire, including all the reedbed vegetation and some areas of saltmarsh vegetation.

"While we're hopeful the root systems have survived, and that the reeds will grow back over the coming years, there is no chance of wildlife successfully nesting in those areas in the coming months.

"It will be a year or two at the earliest before this area can once again support breeding birds like bearded tits, Cetti's warblers and marsh harriers.

"Please help us to give wildlife alternative nesting space on the rest of the estuary by sticking to paths and keeping dogs on short leads and under close control.

"We'd again like to thank the emergency services for their work helping to tackle and investigate the fire, and the local community for the incredible support our team has received in person and on social media."

Three teenage boys, two aged 13, and one aged 14, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson, and later released on conditional bail.