Axminster fire brigade were among crews to tackle a major hay lorry fire on the A303 near Ilminster yesterday.

Crews from Martock and Yeovil were first to be called to the scene at 2.59pm to what was reported as a car fire.

On arrival, it was clear that a lorry carrying 20 tonnes of hay was well alight and further appliances were called from Yeovil, Crewkerne, Chard and a water carrier from Exeter.

The incident commander confirmed lorry well alight and requested a further 3 appliances and a telehandler to assist operations; these pumps came from Crewkerne, Chard and Yeovil and the telehandler from HQ in Exeter.

Axminster were called to the scene at 10.45pm to provide relief overnight.

The road remained closed for hours with the lorry eventually removed at 2.06am this morning. Crews continued to extinguishing approximately three tonnes of remaining hay using two main jets and drag forks.

The lorry and trailer were completely destroyed by fire.