More than 100 firefighters were today tackling a blaze which was ripping through a large area of Ashdown Forest.

Extra crews were quickly drafted in to fight the blaze at the beauty spot near Crowborough, made famous by the Winnie The Pooh books.

A spokesman for East Sussex Fire Brigade said: "It's a large area of fire and quite frightening seeing that come towards you.

"It's burning its way through an area of 300 metres by 200 metres and we are trying to surround it at present."

He added that a few horses had been rescued at the beginning of the incident.