FIREFIGHTERS last night tackled a blaze in a giant haystack near Winchester.

They were called to farmland near Three Maids Hill at about 7.35pm to a 200-tonnes of straw bales on land off Down Farm Lane.

Crews also attended from Alresford, Stockbridge and Basingstoke.

They stopped the flames spreading in the tinder dry conditions to nearby woodland.

Firefighters remain on scene just in case the flames reignite. Some 11,000 litres of water were used to quell the fire.

Watch manager Kev Robson, of Winchester Fire Station, said today: β€œIt was right next to a copse and we were concerned about it spreading but we managed to stop that. We are still there now keeping a watching brief.”

The cause of the fire in a remote location was unclear. Arson is a possibility but such stacks can spontaneously combust.