ARSONISTS who start mountain fires will be hunted down by air and land patrols under a tough new crackdown, say South Wales Fire Service and Gwent Police.

Fire chiefs are determined to prevent a repeat of last year, when arson attacks destroyed four to five square miles of heather moorland on the Blorenge Mountain and left tax-payers picking up a £1 million bill for firefighting provision.

So far no arrests have been made.

Now a joint operation centred on the Blorenge will see regular patrols in the area throughout the spring and summer, by a police helicopter, and fire and police officers using 4x4 vehicles and quad bikes.

The helicopter is fitted with thermal imaging and camera equipment to identify arsonists, and alert police on the ground.

Operation Blorenge, was launched yesterday by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Gwent Police, Torfaen council and various countryside agencies.

Assistant divisional officer Roger Price said: "We are looking to track the firestarters down, catch them, and prosecute them.

"Mountain fires are dangerous and unpredictable and can quickly spread out of control. They are also a strain on our resources."

Last year fires burned continually for over a month, destroying an important habit for birds and other animals, and were branded "a disaster" by ecologists.

And just two weeks ago firebugs started blazes near Garn-y-Erw and Pwll du - less than a mile from the Blorenge Mountain. At Pwll du, six hectares of moorland were destroyed.

"The fire burns right through the heath and underlying peat, and could take decades to recover," said Steve Williams, a senior ecologist with Torfaen council. He added: "We are losing a key site of special scientific interest." If you see anything suspicious, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.