NEW rules will ban people from lighting fires and having barbecues in Port Meadow and other Oxford beauty spots.

The city council has introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which could see £100 fines given out.

The order extends to people digging holes to search for bottles in Port Meadow.

The new rules will impact Port Meadow, Burgess Field, Wolvercote Common, Rivermead Nature Park, Angel and Greyhound Meadow, and South Park.

Fires have damaged these open spaces in the past.

‘The only route we have left’: Girl who spent years caring for mum needs help to stay at Arsenal

Not all parks will see the new rules, with picnics still encouraged at those where regulations are being introduced.

The introduction of the PSPOs follows public consultation in June.

City councillor Louise Upton said: “We need to protect Oxford’s parks and open spaces from damage so that they can continue to be a source of enjoyment for all residents and a safe environment for wildlife.

“Damage caused by fires and bottle digging has been very detrimental to several of our green spaces and this PSPO gives us some teeth to help ensure that they will be protected.

“Large, open fires have been a particular problem in some parks with people ripping material to burn from nearby trees and leaving large amounts of litter around them – this is dangerous for the wildlife, and miserable for the walkers and picnickers.”