Warwick residents have been thanked for helping and supporting local fire services during the recent heatwaves.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has expressed its gratitude to staff and local communities as firefighters dealt with a dramatic increase in open fires, forest fires and water rescue incidents. 

The service said many local farmers have come forward to plough breaks into the field to help prevent the spread of fire and protect wildlife in the hedges, while local groups have been proactive in sharing fire safety messages.

"On-call firefighters have shown complete dedication and commitment to dealing with the increase in incidents, usually alongside another main form of employment, with employers also supporting the cause by allowing them to work flexibly while providing fire cover," a service statement said.

Ben Brook, chief fire officer added: "I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has played their part in keeping people safe across the county.

"This includes those who have taken preventative fire safety measures, the employers who have allowed on-call firefighters to respond to incidents during their normal working hours, and those who have supported the efforts of our team when responding to incidents in a variety of ways.

"I would also like to once again thank our firefighters for their amazing work and dedication.

"It is by continuing to work together that we can protect against the devastating effects of fire in the face of extreme temperatures, which we will likely see escalate further in years to come."