Officials at Ipswich council have appealed to the public to be careful while visiting the town’s parks because of the danger of fire after the long dry spell.

The warning comes after an incident in Christchurch Park – and with more Bank Holidays on the horizon there are fears that the danger could increase.

Parks chiefs are keeping an eye on the dry conditions and with no rain forecast for the next seven days have alerted the public to the risk of an accidental fire breaking out.

Borough Council parks manager Steve Kemp said there had already been one emergency: “We have had the fire service in to deal with a smouldering pile of leaves and grass in Christchurch Park this week, so we want to highlight the risks of fire to visitors.

“We do not allow the lighting of fires of barbecues in any of our parks and recreation grounds and even a carelessly discarded cigarette could spark a fire in these dry conditions.”