FIRE crews from across the Sussex were called to tackle a large field fire amid warnings about the prospect of severe wildfires in the county.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue reported a high volume of 999 calls after the blaze erupted at Upper Kingston Lane in Southwick.

Two fire engines and three off-road vehicles from Shoreham, Haywards Heath and East Sussex Fire and Rescue worked to extinguish the fire, with firefighters remaining at the scene damping down.

Approximately one acre of straw was affected by the blaze.

The fire comes as the Met Office warns that fires that break out at the start of the weekend could be “exceptionally severe” due to continuing dry conditions across the county and the return of the heatwave, with temperatures reaching the low to mid-30s.