Residents are calling for a firebreak at a Stoke-on-Trent park after a devastating blaze destroyed four homes.

The grass fire at Sandyford Park last month spread to houses in Sandy Road and Maureen Avenue which back onto the playing fields, resulting in dozens of people being evacuated.

Six firefighters needed hospital treatment after tackling the fire, which was started by a disposable barbecue.

Sandyford and Goldenhill Residents' Association (SAGE) is now calling on Stoke-on-Trent City Council to create a firebreak around the park to protect homes in future.

They say that while hotter, drier summers and people's carelessness may result in more grass fires, a three-metre wide gravel firebreak would help keep nearby residents safe.

Sandyford Park is surrounded on all sides by houses in Sandy Road, Maureen Avenue, Ridge Road and Wignall Road.

SAGE secretary Tom Simpson raised the issue during the group's public meeting on Thursday.

He said: "At Sandyford Park the houses back right onto the park area. If there was a firebreak there it would stop grass fires spreading to residential gardens. We think that three metres of gravel between the playing fields and the houses should be enough.

"It might seem like we're calling for this after the horse has bolted, but something like this could happen again. We're going to get hotter, drier summers in the future.

"I think it's important that we talk about this while the fire is still a hot topic, and then hopefully something will be done sooner rather than later. We think it should be a priority for the council."

Senior officers from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended SAGE meeting and updated residents on the fire.

They explained how crews had initially been called to deal with the grass fire in the park on the afternoon of 13 August.

But a sudden change in the wind resulted in the fire spreading rapidly across the park, including towards people's homes.

The firefighters then quickly re-deployed to Sandy Road and called for further appliances.

Head of operations Martin Weaver told the meeting that the potential use of firebreaks would be discussed with council officials at the local resilience forum.

He said: "We will be talking about what can be done at what we call the rural interface with properties. We'd encourage the council to look at measures like firebreaks to stop fires spreading.

"Residents should be able to keep their hedges, but there could be a firebreak between the park and people's gardens."

The city council has been approached for comment.