FIREFIGHTERS from Eastleigh and Southampton tackled a "large blaze" at a nature reserve on bank holiday Monday.

Fire crews rushed to Winchester Nature Reserve at 4.38pm after receiving multiple reports of large smoke plumes from the area. 

Crews from Winchester, St Mary’s, Eastleigh, and Alresford attended the scene. 

The fire broke out within the reed beds in the reserve and covered an area of 150m by 100m. 

A spokesperson for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: "A large blaze broke out within reed beds at a Winchester nature reserve on bank holiday Monday.

"Crews from Winchester, St Mary’s, Eastleigh, and Alresford were on the scene shortly before 5pm after the HIWFRS Control Room had received multiple reports of a large smoke plume.

"The fire, affecting an area of 150m by 100m, was being driven by the wind before it was contained by firefighters using jets and beaters."

Fire engines left the scene at around 7pm before one crew returned to conduct a reinspection later in the evening.