FIREFIGHTERS handled a staggering 52 bonfire and barbecue fires in a 12-hour period over the weekend.

The callouts for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue services crews on Saturday night and Sunday morning took place while an extreme warning for wildfires remained in place.

Despite repeated warnings, people appear to be ignoring the pleas of the emergency service.

A number of incidents have taken place involving bins at Bournemouth beach, while crews are also seeing repeated issues at Studland.

Due to flare-ups, the fire service sent more crews back to Wareham Forest, where around 200 hectares of heath and woodland has been destroyed due to a blaze which is believed to have been started by disposable barbecues.