SUFFOLK: Fire chiefs today reiterated important safety advice for the summer months following a string of undergrowth and grass fires over the weekend.

Crews from across the county were called to scores of blazes.

The majority were grass or undergrowth fires, which has prompted bosses to once again issue life-saving advice.

Eddie Meelan, area manager from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We would urge people to take care and follow our safety tips when they’re out and about, especially now that we’re into the school summer holiday season.

“If everyone thinks a bit about the risk of fire, then hopefully we can prevent some of these incidents from happening.

“We have had more incidents this year than at the same time last year and we have already seen large areas of natural beauty destroyed by fire.”

Safety tips include never throwing cigarette ends out of car windows, never leaving bottles or glass in woodlands, avoiding using open fires in the countryside and only using barbecues in a suitable and safe areas.

More specific advice has also been issued to families who may be going camping now the summer holidays have started,

Do not use oil-burning appliances, like lanterns, or candles in or near a tent. Place your cooking area well away from the tent and clear of items that are easily flammable.

Put cooking appliances in a place where they cannot easily be knocked over, keep matches, lighters, flammable liquids and gas cylinders out of the reach of children and be prepared to cut your way out of your tent if there is a fire.

n Are you concerned by the number of fires? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or you can e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.