Four fire crews were called to Rushenden on Sheppey this afternoon to fight a large grass fire near Manor Road.

The blaze destroyed nearly 10 acres of grassland, the size of almost six football pitches.

Firefighters used beaters and backpacks full of water to put out the flames.

The fire broke out on the marshland around 200 metres from the junction of Manor Road and Rushenden Road at 1.50pm.

Fire engines from Sheerness, Eastchurch and Sittingbourne were there for three hours. An all-terrain vehicle with a powerful jet was sent from Herne Bay.

Sheerness firefighter Stevie Head said: "One crew was dispatched at first but needed back-up because it was such a large area. We had to leave the pumps on the road and walk about a mile to the fire.

"The wind caused problems because as soon as we put the fire out it blew up again."

At its height there were 16 firefighters.

The cause of the fire is unknown. There were no reports of anyone being hurt .