FIRE crews were called to a deliberate fire in an area of woodland.

The incident happened at about 11.50am in off Plumberow Avenue, Hockley.

Crews had extinguished the fire by 12.20pm.

Firefighters have been called to this area numerous times during the last month to fires which have been started deliberately.

Neil Fenwick, the fire service's head of community safety said: "It is extremely irresponsible to start fires like this.

"Deliberate fires endanger lives and can cause serious damage to homes, businesses and the environment.

"They also needlessly tie up our firefighters who might be needed to attend emergencies elsewhere.

"People who deliberately start fires need to think about what they are doing.

"They not only risk injury to themselves and others, including firefighters, they also risk criminal prosecution and a fine or even a prison sentence.”