Cannock Chase grassland blaze tackled by crews

The fire broke out in Little Haywood shortly after 15:00 BST

Fire crews are continuing to damp down the site of a large grass fire close to Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.

It started near Meadow Lane, Little Haywood, east of Stafford, shortly after 15:00 BST, sending plumes of smoke into the sky.

More than 20 firefighters and two water carriers attended the scene on the A513 Milford Road, just before Wolseley Bridge, said the fire service.

Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene overnight, it added.

Residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed

Station commander Liam Hickey said the fire had involved a "significant" amount of bracken and woodland on fire.

"The initial crews worked incredibly hard to stop the spread and also deal with the issues of poor water supplies," he said.

Crews were working to dampen down hot spots, he said, after the fire had spread to outbuildings.

"I would like to reiterate - especially over a windy, sunny weekend - for members of the public to be incredibly careful when walking in our areas of natural beauty around Staffordshire, and just be mindful that any unattended barbeques or smoking materials can start fires and they can spread really quickly."

No one has been reported injured, with local residents advised to keep doors and windows closed as a precautionary measure.