POLICE are hunting an arsonists after a blaze destroyed a large area of Hampshire heathland.

More than 40 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze, which broke out at Browndown Ranges, Gosport, and took more than seven hours to extinguish.

Portchester fire station received an emergency call at 9.28pm on Friday and arrived at the scene shortly after.

Six water pumps, three land rovers, two water carriers and a wild fire unit at were all on the scene where around two hectares of gorse and undergrowth were set alight.

Crews remained in the area all night damping down undergrowth so it would not re-ignite.

As reported in the Daily Echo the fire was not extinguished until 4.42am on Saturday.

Hampshire police said today: "We are appealing for witnesses following a fire which damaged a large area of wild land at Alver Valley Country Park in Gosport.

"Emergency services were called to the fire which took place on a large open area measuring 100x150 square metres.

"We are treating this fire as arson.

"If you were in the area between 9.20pm and 10pm and saw anything suspicious, officers are keen to speak to you."

Anyone with information can call police 101, quoting reference number 44190243908. Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.