A large hay fire put a barn full of cattle, another with hundreds of tonnes of fertiliser and a diesel tank holding thousands of litres of diesel at risk yesterday.

Eight fire crews from across Somerset were called at 3.37pm yesterday (September 16) to a stack of some 500 tonnes of hay on a farm in Ash.

The hayrick was close to two barns, one of which was holding cattle.

The second barn held 300 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser, 300 more tonnes of hay and 300 tonnes of grain.

To make matters worse, nearby was a diesel tank holding 10,000 litres of diesel.

Firefighters got to work with hose reel jets, light portable pumps and safety jets and made good progress.

By 5.30am this morning the fire was under control enough that crews could leave the site. A crew are due back to the farm this morning to check that the fire is still under control.

Having prevented the potentially dire situation from escalating - one of the crews took a photo to mark one of their colleague's final day, after an incredible 36 years of service.

Martock Fire Station took to social media to mark Paul Cregan's retirement.

A spokesperson said: "With the fire under control and with the permission and understanding of our friend, the affected farmer, following a crew brief we thought we’d capture hopefully the last large incident commanded by Paul Cregan before he finally retires tomorrow following 36 years service. Combined with his dad Martyn’s service that’s a total of 56 years!"

The cause of the fire has been established as accidental.