Model aircraft causes beauty spot blaze

Firefighters extinguished the fire, at Woodbury Common, in Exmouth, just after 12:30 BST on Thursday

A "model aircraft" caused a heathland fire at a beauty spot in Devon, a fire service has said.

The large fire started at about 10:30 BST near an airfield at Woodbury Common, near Exmouth, on Thursday.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said "the incident has now been handed over to Clinton Devon Estates", which owned most of the land.

The business said the model aircraft "malfunctioned" and "the only people permitted to fly model aircraft on the heaths" was a club, "which has a licence to use that area".

Clinton Devon Estates added: "As soon as the incident happened the club members on site called the fire service which enabled it to be dealt with promptly by the emergency services and our team."

East Devon Radio Control Club said the model aircraft malfunction "could not be prevented".

Eight fire engines, two water carriers and one high volume pump were sent to tackle the blaze.

The fire was extinguished just after 12:30.