Fire engines have brought a major fire in Marlborough under control.

Crews were called to Poulton Hill in Marlborough at 4.07pm this afternoon (August 25) after reports of a fire involving 30 tonnes of baled straw.

Two fire engines - from Marlborough and Swindon - were joined by a small 4x4 pump from Ludgershall and a water carrier from Pewsey.

A fire spokeswoman said: "They found the bales well alight, with the fire spreading to the adjacent stubble field.

"Beaters and hose reel jets have been used to extinguish the field, and the adjacent hedgerow has been damped down to protect it from fire. Farm machinery has been used to create a fire break around the bales, and these are now burning out under control.

"Only the one crew from Marlborough remain on scene and the stop hasn’t yet come in."

Local residents expressed sympathy for the farmer's loss during a tough year.

"It’s so sad when it’s been such a difficult harvest to see it go up in flames," one said.

Another added: "It’s hard enough with a shortage of straw and hay but then for something like this to happen it’s horrible."