Fire hits acres of nature reserve

Firefighters from three counties have tackled a blaze which hit about 50 acres of a National Nature Reserve in north Shropshire.

Crews took about four hours to bring the fire at Whixall Moss under control. The fire has affected acres of remote scrubland and moss in a reserve which has been designated a European Special Area of Conservation.

Firefighters have carried out an investigation to find the cause and have returned to assess the area.

Incident commander Jim Labourchardiere from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said four-wheeled drive vehicles were needed to access the fire.

"It was breaking out over quite a wide area," he said.

"Because of the nature of the ground - it's peat so the fire goes underground almost and breaks out in different areas."