There have been almost 100 grass fires in Mid and West Wales since lockdown rules were first eased last month.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said that since the message around lockdown had changed from "stay home" to "stay local", its crews have attended 98 deliberate or accidental grass fires.

The service is now working with Dyfed Powys Police, Natural Resources Wales, Cadw and the four councils whose areas it covers in a bid to tackle the issue.

In a statement, the service said: "During the summer, grass and mountains can become very dry, which means if you deliberately or accidentally start a fire outdoors it will spread very quickly, destroying everything in its path.

"The damage to the surrounding landscape and the effect on historic features, habitats and wildlife largely goes unrecognised. With the climate and nature emergencies that we are all facing, wildfires are the last thing the Welsh landscape needs.

"We are urging members of the public to take precautions and to follow the safety advice below.

• Extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly – don’t throw them out of car windows.

• Only use barbecues in suitable areas, never leave them unattended and always extinguish them properly.

• Don’t start fires in the countryside.

• Make sure your barbecue is in good working order before you use it.

• Let your barbecue cool down after use, before you dispose of it or move it.

• Never start open fires in the countryside.

If you see anyone setting deliberate fires, please call the Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. To report an ongoing grass fire, please call 999 and ask for the Fire Service.