Firefighters have had to deal with a spate of fires lit in parts of York and left to burn unattended.

They were called out to three parts of the city in five hours yesterday to deal with uncontrolled blazes.

The ground and vegetation generally is dry because there has been very little rain in recent weeks.

The first emergency call out was to Bootham Stray in the afternoon, where there were several small fires which York firefighters believe had been started deliberately.

They had to put each of them out using small tools.

Within an hour Acomb firefighters were also in Clifton.

They had to put out a grass fire on land behind Blatchford Court. Again, they believe it was started deliberately.

Half an hour later, Huntington firefighters had to deal with a larger fire on land near Monks Cross Drive. It was 50 metres by five metres and they believe someone dropped something, possibly a light, which started the fire.

By the evening, someone had started a camp fire in the woodland off Water End. Again it was left unattended and firefighters had to deal with it.

North Yorkshire firefighters advise:

Only light fires in safe, designated areas.

Put out cigarettes and other smoking materials properly.

Don't leave bottles or glass in woodlands.

Sunlight shining through glass can start a fire. Take then home or put them in a waste or recycling bin.