A LARGE fire broke out at a heathland area in Bransgore at the weekend.

Crews from across Hampshire and Dorset battled the blaze near Burley Road on Saturday evening (May 10), with around one hectare of heathland and woods affected by the fire.

The fire saw a large response, with crews from New Milton, Lymington, Fordingbridge, Eastleigh and Beaulieu supported by teams from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS).

The fire was gradually scaled back by 12pm on Sunday (May 11), with the stop message to crews coming at 9.24pm later that evening.

Crews will return to the area today (May 12) to conduct a reinspection of the area and check for any hotspots.

A spokesperson for DWFRS said: “A total of nine pumps were in attendance together with several Land Rover pumps and water carriers.

“The area involved is approximately 200 meters by 400 meters and four hose reel jets were used to extinguish.”

The service is encouraging people to take “extra care” while enjoying open spaces in the sunshine.