Firefighters battle 15-tonne hay bale blaze at Calves Lane, Stoke-by-Nayland

Firefighters have tackled a large hay bale blaze involving 15 tonnes of straw, a lorry and trailers.

The fire service was called to the incident in Calves Lane, Stoke-by-Nayland, between Sudbury and Hadleigh, at 12.14pm.

Two crews from Colchester and one from Sudbury attended the incident. An additional crew from Long Melford, Halstead's water bowser, which supplies large quantities of water, and a drone were requested.

Watch Manager Dan Davis said: "Crews worked hard to protect surrounding buildings, including barns containing straw.

"They got the fire under control and will remain at the scene into the evening to make sure it burns out safely.”

The fire service thanked a farmer who used his machinery to help to stop the fire from spreading by breaking up the straw.

An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause but early indications are that it was accidental.