FIRE crews spent eight hours and worked into the night putting out a fire in the open near Pershore yesterday (Monday).

The blaze took place on Sidings Lane in the village of Charlton, near Pershore and covered an area approximately the size of three football pitches.

A Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue service spokesperson said: "Two Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews from Evesham Fire Station and the Evesham water carrier were called at 17:53 on 26 July to a fire in the open at Sidings Lane, Charlton near Pershore.

"Approximately 1.2 hectares of stubble were extinguished using four hosereel jets augmented from the water carrier.

"Beaters were also used and a thermal imaging camera was deployed to check for hot spots after the area had been damped down. There were no casualties and the local policing team were informed.

"The incident was closed at 01:53."