Firefighters have dealt with at least half a dozen grass, rubbish and out-of-control bonfires every day this week.

And fears have been raised that barbecues, campfires and discarded cigarettes could lead to more blazes across tinder-dry Shropshire over the bank holiday weekend. Hundreds of people will be out and about at Shropshire’s beauty spots this weekend while others will be busy in their gardens and organising barbecues.

Today Ade Bowen, a crew manager for Shropshire Fire and Rescue based in Oswestry, warned people should be aware of the dangers of fires racing out of control because of the lack of rain over the past months.

Oswestry fire crews helped other firefighters from across the county deal with a blaze that swept across a stubble field near Baschurch.

The day also saw grass fires at Ketley, Brookside, Madeley and Telford Town Park and a bonfire out of control at Ketley.

A bush fire at Telford Town Park spread to 100 metres of grass which took almost an hour to deal with while 40 acres was involved in Baschurch and crews were on scene for two and a half hours.

There were a similar number of grass fires on Tuesday, including incidents in Donnington and in the Bridgnorth area.

Mr Bowen said: “There is a real danger of bonfires and other fires going out of control at the moment. Shropshire is tinder dry and the simplest of things could lead to a major incident.”

He urged people who were having bonfires to contact Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service to let officers know and also to ensure that they had the fire far enough away from hedges, fences and trees.

“Anyone camping out this weekend should take great care if considering having a campfire or barbecue. They should always ensure they have a bucket of water and beaters close by and if in doubt do not have a fire at all.”

To contact Shropshire Fire and Rescue call (01743) 260200 or visit www.shropshirefire.gov.uk

By Sue Austin