Long Mynd gorse fire 'deliberate'

Shropshire Fire and Rescue said grass fires were rare at this time of year

A large gorse fire on a hillside on Tuesday was deliberately started, Shropshire Fire and Rescue has said.

Crews were called to Long Mynd, near Church Stretton, just before 16:30 GMT.

Some 50 firefighters from Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, and Telford used hoses and beaters to extinguish the fire.

Station manager Guy Williams said an investigation had revealed it was deliberately started and had now been referred to the police.

He said fires in the open were rare at this time of year and several points had been identified where fires were started on the hill.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue said the low temperatures had helped them put the fire out.