FIREFIGHTERS battled to contain 3,000 tonnes of straw that caught alight.

The 30m by 10m pile, in Foxes Road, Ashen, was well alight when crews from Wethersfield, Halstead, Clare and Haverhill arrived just after 5pm on Saturday.

Further support was received by crews from Sible Hedingham and Thaxted as crews protected the surrounding area to contain the fire.

The controlled burn was continuing on Sunday and crews used a mechanical digger to separate the straw.