FIRE services assisted a farmer after his hay baler set fire halfway through the job in a cut field near Chard.

Taunton, Chard, Yeovil, and Ilminster Fire Stations attended the machinery blaze on Wednesday, July, 31.

With dry conditions and top temperatures of 32C making it the UK's hottest day of the year so far, the firefighters acted quickly to contain the fire and "prevent spread to nearby crops".

Taunton Fire Station said in a post: "On Call firefighters from Taunton supported crews from Chard and Ilminster at a hay baler on fire in a cut field near Chard.

"We were mobilised on our 4x4 Ford Ranger. The officer in charge made up for a second 4x4 vehicle from Yeovil to assist with extinguishing the fire."

Photos show firefighters forking through a mass of hay stuck in the baler, to ensure the fire is fully extinguished.

A spokesperson for Ilminster Fire Station added: "A crew from Ilminster attended the below incident alongside Chard Fire Station Taunton Fire Station and Yeovil Fire Station.

"Crews with the assistance of farmers were able to contain and extinguish the fire to prevent spread to nearby crops."

Unfortunately, the baler appears to be fire damaged beyond repair.