Dozens of firefighters battle Peak District wildfire

Eight fire crews are tackling a fire on Beeley Moor in the Peak District

Firefighters are tackling a wildfire on Beeley Moor in the Peak District.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has about 40 firefighters at the scene and said on Tuesday it was "receiving a high number of calls regarding a smoke plume", which could be seen from several miles away.

People have been advised to avoid the area, and residents asked to keep their doors and windows closed.

Chesterfield Road in Rowsley, at the junction of the B6012, is currently closed as a result of the fire, and drivers have been advised to use alternative routes.

The plume of smoke from the fire in Beeley Moor can be seen for miles around

A fire service spokesperson said they were "sectioning" the incident and "keeping an eye on the wind conditions" to try to minimise how far the fire spreads.

"Police are also supporting us using their drone, as are the local authority," the spokesperson said.

"We are going to be dealing with this for quite some time."

The wildfire is one of dozens that have broken out across the country after a bout of recent dry weather, including a large fire covering 2,691 sq ft (250 sq m) of forest land in Leicestershire last week.

Northern Ireland also declared a major incident after 146 wildfires broke out since Thursday, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said it attended more than 40 blazes across the county over the weekend, with further fires reported in Scotland.

Visitors to the Peak District have also been asked to do their bit to prevent wildfires after a blaze devastated moorland in Howden Moor, which contained wildlife habitats.