Firefighters are warning about grass and woodland fires after tackling one blaze that spread over several metres.

The flames took hold on land off Cemetery Lane, Ashford, at 3am Friday morning, covering an area of three by five metres.

That same night firefighters also put up a campfire made by teenagers in woodland to stop it getting out of control.

Ashford station firefighter Neil Jones said: “We have had a long spell of hot weather and August is also expected to be sunny.

“Grass and woodland get extremely dry in these conditions and we urge member of the public to be careful about not accidentally causing fires.

“It is obviously a waste of our resources if we have to bring in six pumps from all over the county to deal with such an incident.â€

One Ashford Fire engine was called to the fire at Cemetery Lane, close to the former police training college.

Firefighters were at the scene for 20 minutes and said the blaze was deep seated because of moss in the area.

Crews believe the blaze could have been accidental, possibly caused by a discarded cigarette.

At midnight fire crews had put out a large campfire by a gathering of youngsters at woodland close to the William Harvey Hospital.

The group of about 50 14 to 15 year-olds were dispersed by the police.

Mr Jones said: “The youths were not causing a disturbance and the fire did not go out of control but it was put out as a precaution.â€

There is a general warning by crews not to light fires in the countryside.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service reported that in three days, from June 14 to 16, they attended 10 grass and woodland fires in the county.

In the worst case six fire engines along with specialist vehicles were called to a gigantic woodland fire at Herne.

A grass, at Purden Manor Wood, Woodchurch was caused by a cigarette although others have been started deliberately.