Firefighters battle burning manure - pictures

The fire sent thick smoke billowing into the air from the Cissbury Ring area, prompting dozens of calls to the fire service from midday onwards from people who saw the plumes of smoke from Findon Valley and beyond.

The fire started on land owned by racehorse trainer Josh Gifford and engulfed a tractor and trailer, as well as starting minor fires in nearby undergrowth.

Firefighters shuttled water to the rural area from hydrants in nearby Nepcote, in Findon.

A heavy-duty digger was supplied by the Gifford family to help firefighters cut into hundreds of tonnes of manure and straw.

The fire was believed to have been started by a discarded cigarette.

Roy Barraclough, district fire commander for Worthing, said: "The message to people is that with the continuing dry weather, please be careful about throwing cigarettes out of cars and discarding barbecues. Obey the countryside code. In this weather, it will soon go up."

DID YOU SEE THE FIRE?

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