Summit over threat of wildfires

The increasing threat of wildfires in the UK has been discussed by dozens of delegates from fire services and police forces at a Hampshire conference.

Wildlife 2009 was organised by rural life watchdog, Rural Development Initiatives, to discuss how to tackle the growing national problem.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, which held several demonstrations, said it hoped to raise public awareness.

The Lynhurst conference follows a recent spate of heath fires in Dorset.

Stephen Trotter, from the New Forest National Park Authority, said: "Wildfires can be devastating to all of the things that make places like the New Forest National Park so special - and they can be especially damaging to the wildlife that thrives here.

"It is vital that we learn from each other about how to stop them from happening and to fight them more effectively, if and when they do occur."

Rural Development Initiatives (RDI) works in partnership with public, private and charitable bodies across the UK, delivering projects in support of the forestry, farming and land-based industries.