A large fire which burnt half a hectare of grass and shrubs sparked an emergency response.

But when firefighters from Charmouth, Lyme Regis and Bridport rushed to the area, near Charmouth, and started to formulate a plan to tackle the fire, they were met by a landowner who assured them that it was a controlled burn set to reduce the chances of a more serious fire in the future.

It's prompted a plea from the fire service to consider whether, during the current coronavirus crisis, controlled burns are absolutely necessary.

A spokesman for the fire service said:"It increases the risk to crews and in turn their families. If it is deemed necessary then please telephone our service control. You will be asked the address of the burn and the start and finish times. This is to reduce the resources mobilised and in turn reducing the risk to crews.

"Thank you and please continue to follow the government guidelines on reducing the risk to us all."

You can contact service control on 0306 7990019.

Bonfires can upset neighbours and cause breathing problems for those with underlying medical conditions or suffering from the virus. Also, bonfires can get out of control quickly.

Dorset Council says if you have to burn garden waste, try to let neighbours know by putting a note through the door, pick a quiet time of day where other people are less likely to be outside and ensure you have the proper equipment.

If only dry garden waste is burnt, your bonfire should not cause a problem. Never burn household waste, as it will pollute the air with harmful toxins