A number of fires were started deliberately at a Birmingham beauty spot risking widespread damage to wildlife and plants.

Firefighters were called to Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield on three occasions over the weekend with campfires and a deliberate tree attack.

The first blaze was a grass fire near Little Bracebridge pool om Sunday (October 12) shortly after midday.

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Sutton Park's rangers said members of the public spotted a smouldering fire and called West Midlands Fire Service.

Crews went to the Milking Gate side of the park, near Park View Road, and 'prevented the fire from taking hold within the peat and spreading out across the heath'.

Later that day fire crews were again called to Sutton Park, this time to Wyndley Gate, nearer the town centre, at 3.15pm.

There they dealt with a small fire, again spotted by the public.

Sutton Park rangers said had the fire not been spotted and put out by fire crews it could have 'burned overnight' with 'far more serious consequences'.

And then early on Monday (October 13) West Midlands Fire Service crews again returned to the park after reports of another fire.

Crews were called at 7.36am to Boldmere Gate where there was a 'smouldering fire' near the Miller and carter after 'someone had tried to set fire to a tree' according to a West Midlands Fire Service spokeswoman.

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Sutton Park rangers posting on their Facebook page said: "A massive thank you to the volunteers from Friends of Sutton Park Association who, whilst engaged in a public walk above Little Bracebridge, spotted a fire that had dropped from its original point of ignition and had set a smouldering fire.

"Their quick action in calling in West Midlands Fire Service prevented the fire from taking hold within the peat and spreading out across the heath."

And in a second post they said: "Another massive thankyou to West Midlands Fire Service for attending yet another fire in the park.

"Had this fire near Wyndley Gate not been spotted by the public and continued to burn overnight the consequences could have been far more serious!

"This fire seems to have been caused by a small camp fire that reignited due to the heat left in the ground."

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West Midlands Fire Service urged parkgoers not to start any fires at the Sutton beauty spot.

A spokesperson for the brigade added: "Please don't light fires in our parks.

"Crews were called to Sutton Park twice over the weekend to put out campfires.

"Even when a fire appears to be out, heat can remain underground and reignite hours later.

"In one case, firefighters found smouldering ground and burning logs long after the flames had gone.

"The safest option is simple: don't light fires in public parks.

"They can spread quickly and tie up crews who may be needed elsewhere."

Reckless fire starters at Birmingham beauty spot risk widespread damage in repeat blazes - Birmingham Live