A PLEA to stop having bonfires has come from firefighters who were called to a late-night fire yesterday.

Crews from both Mortimer and Whitley Wood Fire Stations rushed to the bonfire which had become out of control.

It had spread to a nearby hedge and shed.

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Firefighters tweeted a picture of the blaze which they described as 'small' and 'nearly out' but it still managed to set fire to the surrounding area.

The tweet added: "Don't have bonfires at the moment. This shows how easily they can spread."

It did not specify the exact location of the fire.