Warning over wildfires at 'Winnie-the-Pooh wood'

Visitors to the forest which inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh stories have been urged to take extra care due to the risk of wildfires.

The alert over Ashdown Forest was issued due to the lengthy dry conditions this summer and after a number of smaller blazes struck the ancient woodland.

Earlier this month firefighters were deployed to Colemans Hatch Road, Forest Row - near Ashdown Forest Centre - where they fought 70 square metres of smouldering grass and trees.

The forest's head of countryside, Ash Walmsley, said: "Just one spark can set off a chain of events that could devastate the forest's fragile ecosystems and present a danger to visitors, our grazing animals, and to wildlife."

Walmsley urged visitors to the forest to take litter home and not light barbecues or fires or drop cigarette butts.

Ashdown Forest inspired the Hundred Acre Wood of A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh stories.

It is also is a rare heathland landscape – a habitat rarer than a tropical rainforest – and a Site of Special Scientific Interest that is home to some of Europe's most threatened species.

Meanwhile, there have been a number of wildfires on the South Downs this summer, including near Eastbourne, East Sussex and at Devil's Dyke, West Sussex.

Walmsley said: "There is absolutely no room for complacency. Vigilance is still needed at all times."

East Sussex Fire and Rescue's David Washington said: "At this time the fire risk is very high. We encourage everyone to enjoy the countryside but to be careful."

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