ArgoCat purrs into action

THE Argocat is ready for action on the South Pennines

The fire service has a new vehicle to help tackle the difficult-to-reach blazes — the all-terrain amphibious Argocat.

The eight-wheeled fire engine, operated by West Yorkshire Fire Service, makes it an easier job for fire crews to reach the heart of blazes on the South Pennines — and by getting there quicker it will help protect the habitat of moorland wildlife, such as the endangered twite.

Plus urban areas will benefit, as the Argocat can deal with town-centre flooding and emergency situations.

Charlotte Weightman, of the RSPB Twite Recovery Project, welcomed the new addition.

“The twite is one of England’s most threatened birds whose only remaining breeding pairs are in the South Pennines.

“Moorland fires can have a devastating effect on the population with blazes destroying four nesting colonies, out of a total of about 20, in April alone.”

The South Pennines includes the moorland areas of Oldham.