A large wildfire burning through heathland on the Suffolk coast has been declared a major incident.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said about 90 firefighters were “working incredibly hard in arduous conditions” to bring under control a “large-scale, wind-driven” fire that broke out on Wednesday afternoon.

A major incident has been declared “due to the size and complexity” of the blaze, which is spreading rapidly south-west towards St James’s Church, off Westleton Road, the fire service says.

Authorities have urged people to avoid the area and keep windows and doors shut.

Much of the area is a nature reserve owned by the National Trust, which said it was assisting firefighters.

The area is also close to the RSPB Minsmere nature reserve.

It asked people to avoid Westleton Heath, Mount Pleasant, Westleton Walks and the main bridleway from the entrance road towards Dunwich.

The fire service said crews were using equipment including off-road vehicles, drones and quad bikes.

“Members of the public are advised to avoid the area and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles,” it said.

The fire comes as the UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat-health alert for the east midlands, the east, south east and London.

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