A ROAD at a popular beauty spot is to remain closed this morning after firefighters rushed to tackle a large fire.

The blaze broke out near the Dyke Golf Club, off Devil’s Dyke Road, Poynings, at about 5.20pm yesterday.

One crew stayed at the site overnight to ensure the fire did not reignite.

The road will remain closed to allow the "safe movement of crews," West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said.

About 200 square metres of grass caught fire at the popular beauty spot yesterday.

READ MORE >> Firefighters called to flames on Devil's Dyke

Writing on Twitter, the service said: "We had one crew in attendance overnight keeping a watching brief to ensure no further reignition.

"This morning relief crews have been brought in to carry out a reinspection to ensure there are no further hotspots.

"Devil's Dyke Road is expected to remain closed this morning to allow the safe movement of crews.

"Please continue to avoid the area for the time being."

Residents from Hangleton to Lancing reported they could see smoke billowing into the sky from the blaze yesterday.

“We would urge people to continue to keep their doors and windows closed due to the amount of smoke in the area,” a spokesman for the fire service said.

Crews from Horsham, Burgess Hill, Henfield, Hove and Brighton battled to control the flames.

A water carrier from Burgess Hill and an incident command unit from Haywards Heath were also called.

They were joined by off-road vehicles from Crawley and Horsham, as well as the service’s technical rescue unit, which used a drone.