Fire service tackles large blaze outside Chichester

The fire service said stacked straw bales, about 50 metres by 10 metres, are currently well alight on a farmer's field near the Bourne Community College in Southbourne.

"Firefighters are damping down the edges and the farmer has ploughed around the area for containment," the fire service said.

Crews from Chichester, Bognor, Petworth, Midhurst and Selsey are at the scene.

In an update at 7.30pm, Midhurst Fire said the incident had been scaled down.

Firefighters from Midhurst and Selsey were assisting the farmer to spread the burning bales.

Crews will remain on scene throughout the night to supervise to allow the bales to burnout safely, Midhurst Fire added.