RSPB nature reserve closed after wildfire

At 17:00 BST on Tuesday firefighters said they had extinguished the fire after working with a farmer to create a break to stop the flames from spreading

A RSPB nature reserve has been closed after a wildfire set about 10 hectares of field ablaze.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service was called to Creeksea Ferry Road on Wallasea Island, a large marshland nature reserve at Rochford just after 15:00 (BST).

Crews from Southend, Rayleigh and Basildon attended along with off-road vehicles from Burnham and Billericay and a water bowser from Corringham and the fire was out by 17:00 with firefighters staying to dampen "hotspots".

Ron Johnson, a volunteer at the 740-hectare reserve, said it could be closed until Wednesday while the site was checked over.

RSPB Wallasea Island was created using more than three million tonnes of earth, brought by boat from the tunnels and shafts created in the Crossrail scheme.

It raised the land above sea level and created a 115-hectare area of saltmarsh, islands and mudflats.

The nature reserve was rich in wildlife and was created as a place for visiting birds.

Mr Johnson, a volunteer at the reserve, said he believed the fire had been on some crop fields.

"The reserve will be closed this evening and tomorrow (Wednesday) while we check the site and carry out any remedial work that may be required to ensure the safety of our visitors," he said.

"On no account attempt to enter the reserve while the closure is in place."