Wildfire breaks out in ancient woodland

A wildfire has broken out in an ancient woodland in East Sussex.

Emergency services were called to Abbot's Wood, near Polegate, at about 15:10 BST on Monday.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said an area measuring about 600 metres by 200 metres (1,968ft by 656ft) of gorse and trees was alight.

They said they were "grateful" to local farmers who have been assisting them to control the fire by damping down fire breaks and low vegetation.

The fire service said they had scaled back the incident to two fire engines at about 20:45 BST and were likely to remain at the scene for several more hours.

The fire service is urging residents to avoid the area, as well as the Robin Post Lane area.

At the height of the incident there were eight fire appliances and crews, from Hailsham, Eastbourne, Pevensey, Crowborough and Uckfield at the scene.

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