FOUR fire engines were called to tackle a grass fire in a field.

Crews from Worthing, East Preston and Shoreham were sent to the land behind a Tesco store in Tasman Way, Durrington, yesterday just after 8pm.

One fire engine was sent initially but then a second and third were added along with a fire Land Rover.

Firefighters used hoses and beaters to get the flames under control, which had taken hold of about four acres of grass and scrub.

It took about an hour for crews to tame the blaze. Their cause was not helped by the weather; temperatures yesterday exceeded 26C in nearby Shoreham while London saw its hottest July day on record.

Locals claim youths have tried to set fire to the field in the past and, on this occasion, investigators decided the cause was deliberate ignition.