A FARMER in a tractor battled to save the rest of his crops as a large fire broke out in a field.

Six Worcestershire crews were at the field to battle the blaze across a five-hectare field filled with stubble, standing crop and hedgerows.

The quick-thinking farmer ploughed a perimeter around the fire to contain the flames and stop more crops being destroyed.

Firefighters used a drone to see how the fire had spread after being called out to Barnk Road in Little Witley, near Worcester, at just after 1pm.

Crews from Worcester, Wyre Forest, Droitwich, a water carrier from Evesham, an off-road vehicle from Malvern and the drone from Ledbury were all in attendance at the scene.

READ MORE: Six fire crews at large fire - live updates

A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "We received the call all today at 1.08 to bank road Little Witley, to a stubble fire.

"Our crews from Worcester, Droitwich, Wyre Forest, a water carrier from Evesham, the land rovers from Malvern and the drone from Ledbury all attended the scene.

"The fire started at 150 metres by 600 metres and was 

Five hectares of stubble and standing crop plus hedge row were being dampened down by fire service personnel.

"Good progress was made and it was contained to 50 metres of hedgerow and trees by 3.34pm."

Smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from neighbouring villages as the fire took hold.

Once the flames were under control, the firefighters dampened down the crops before leaving the scene.

It is the most recent of several fires in the open in Worcester and surrounding areas including a blaze at the old Tolladine Golf Course.

Over 20 emergency calls were made on Monday evening after flames from a fire pit spread onto a field.

Hartlebury Common also set alight during July's heatwave though it is not known what caused that blaze.