FIREFIGHTERS from nine stations including Wiveliscombe and Dulverton tackled a heathland blaze on the edge of Exmoor believed to have been started by arsonists on Monday (March 10).

About 80 acres of West Anstey Common was consumed by flames as crews used beaters and scotty pumps to put them out.

The fire broke out across a nearly 330-yard grass and gorse front, which Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said was split into three sectors for the firefighting operation.

Devon and Cornwall Police identified three separate incidents, the first on Sunday evening shortly after 6 pm, and two more on Monday at about 12.30 pm and 6.30 pm.

South Molton police Sgt Robert Brown appealed for information or dashcam footage from the area around those times.