There will be no more BBQs in Merton parks "until further notice."

That is the message from the council after the London Fire Brigade urged all local authorities to install a temporary ban on the outdoor event.

The LFB wants an urgent clamp down on barbecues following record breaking grass fire blazing across a tinder dry capital.

Fire commissioner Dany Cotton said: “I have attended a number of these large grass fires and it never ceases to shock me how many abandoned smouldering barbecues fire crews spot. In these arid conditions, barbecuing on dry grass is not just thoughtless, it’s reckless.

“We have a lot of green space in London but it’s nearly always lined by roads and houses. It’s only a matter of time before hot smoke and flaming debris catches nearby cars and houses and someone is seriously hurt.

“I know a barbecue ban can be difficult to enforce and many councils have already implemented a ban but I am calling on all our partners to do whatever they can to help us protect London’s open spaces from devastating blazes.”

In a statement posted on its website, Merton Council said it had heeded the advice of the brigade.

"Due to the very hot weather, grass in our parks and green spaces is very dry and across London, firefighters have already attended six times as many large grass fires than the total number attended in 2017," it read.

"Barbecues are one of the core causes of grass fires along with smouldering cigarettes and glass bottles.

"Fires can spread in short grass as well as long grass, and sparks from barbecues can set dry trees or bushes on fire."