A warning has been issued after a string of wildfires in recent months.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to take extra care with barbecues and cigarettes and avoid having bonfires.

Since the beginning of May, the service has been called to more than 40 wildfires in the Surrey countryside.

Firefighters have also been called to 15 house fires in just the past eight weeks which were caused by bonfires or barbecues getting out of control or being started too close to sheds, fences or garden buildings.

Bryn Strudwick, Community Safety Manager for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The sun dries everything up so a smouldering match thrown into a bin or a disposable barbecue left to burn out is more likely to spark a full-blown fire.

"It’s essential to make sure matches, cigarettes, barbecues and fires are completely put out and you can take other steps too, such as keeping mirrors and glass out of direct sunlight.

"We’d advise against having bonfires at this time."