ACRES of woodland were devastated in a forest fire in East Tynedale this week.

The blaze, said to have been sparked by a fly-tipper, razed four acres of woodland on the Healey estate.

Four fire crews were called to the scene, near High Plains, at 9pm on Sunday night. No-one was injured.

Tom Warde-Aldham, whose brother owns the land affected, said: “It was caused after someone fly-tipped a mattress and decided to set fire to it.

“It ended up devastating about three or four acres of woodland on my brother’s land.

“It’s completely irresponsible for someone to have done that in what is a working forest.

“As a result we’re going to have to restrict public access.

“Signage will be installed reminding people to stick to the public footpaths.”