Crews from four fire stations were called to tackle a large blaze in Dorset.

Firefighters from Dorchester, Sturminster Newton, Sherborne and Maiden Newton Fire Station attended a field fire near Piddletrenthide, West Dorset yesterday (August 7).

The fire caused significant damage to the field with a large area charred as a result.

At the same time crews from Blandford and Bere Regis were tackling a seperate field fire in Milborne St Andrew.

That was soon followed by a major emergency response to a large fire near Corfe Castle.

The call-outs come amid a period of hot, dry weather which has seen an increase in the number of incidents firefighters have responded to.

Last month, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 339 fires in the open, compared to 120 last July – an increase of 182%.