Firefighters battle coastal nature reserve blaze

A fire on a national nature reserve has stranded ferry passengers and closed a main road.

The fire broke out in an open area at Studland at about 14:30 BST, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service said.

Drone footage posted online shows flames and a cloud of smoke over an extensive area of heathland.

The only road through Studland is closed, leaving holidaymakers and commuters unable to reach Sandbanks Ferry from the Swanage side.

However, the ferry confirmed it was still taking passengers to and from Sandbanks and Shell Bay.

Crews from six fire stations are trying to contain the fire using hoses and beaters, the fire service said.

Firefighters from Swanage, Poole, Wimborne and Hamworthy are at the scene, alongside a water carrier from Ringwood, a pump from Christchurch and off-road vehicles, it added.

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