FIREFIGHTERS were dealing with a "large barn fire" near Wilton Friday night.

At around 9pm Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) announced it was tackling the fire in Wilton Road, Barford St Martin, and nearby residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed because of high levels of smoke.

The fire, which started accidentally, involved 350 bales of hay and straw.

A DWFRS spokesperson said: "Firefighters from Salisbury, Tisbury Fire Station and Wilton Fire Station are dealing with a large barn fire in Barford St Martin near Wilton, Wiltshire.

"There is lots of smoke in the area so we would advise residents to keep windows and doors closed overnight while we deal with this incident."

The incident remained open overnight on October 24 with a relief crew from Gillingham and a water carrier from Pewsey, then a crew from Salisbury were there on Saturday until shortly before 3pm.

By this stage, there was around ten tonnes of hay which had to burn out under control.

A reinspection yesterday morning led to a crew from Tisbury attending to damp down and turn over the remaining hay, and a stop was put in at around 11.25am.