PEOPLE were told to keep their doors and windows shut throughout the weekend after a large fire at Salisbury Plain.

The fire was reported to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service at about 1.50pm on Friday.

Plumes of smoke could be seen from various points around the Plain. 

About 30 firefighters tackled the blaze with crews from Amesbury, Salisbury and Devizes as well as Land Rovers from Wilton, Devizes and Ludgershall attending. 

They helped extinguish about 2,500 square metres that were well alight.

Crews used beaters and hose reels to extinguish the fire.

Fire crews were at the scene until just before 8pm. The incident was handed over to the Ministry of Defence. 

By Saturday the fire, at Rushall Down, just west of Upavon, was still burning, and was allowed to burn out under controlled supervision. 

And by Monday evening the fire had “burnt out”. 

An MOD spokesperson said: “The area has suffered minimal damage and we expect the area of grassland to fully recover.”