FIREFIGHTERS spent hours tackling a raging forest fire days after a severe wildlife warning was put in place.

Fire engines from across Sussex were called to reports of a blaze in St Leonard’s Forest near Horsham just after noon yesterday.

Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, bringing it under control by 2pm.

But they spent the rest of the afternoon tackling the weakened fire with jets and fire flappers.

Residents living nearby were told to keep windows and doors closed while the fire was being tackled.