THE number of wildfires in Worcestershire and Herefordshire this summer rose by more than 300 per cent compared to four years ago.

Figures released this week by Press Association show there were a total of 248 fires reported on grassland, woodland and crops in May, June and July this year in the region.

The Fire Brigade Union has slammed the government for budget cuts in light of the figures.

In 2014, there were 78 recorded fires of a similar type – meaning there has been a rise of more than 317 per cent since then.

Three years ago, the number jumped to 138, before dropping to 103 the following year and then rising up to 141 in 2017 – an increase of almost 76 per cent between this summer and last.

According to PA’s findings, 117 of the fires were started accidentally, while 67 were deliberate – with the remaining not classified as either.

In July, almost 100 fire service personnel battled a fire started by a disposable barbecue on the Malvern Hills.

For days crews dowsed the flames near the West of England Quarry, which spread across five acres of grass and shrubbery.

A Hereford & Worcester Fire service spokesman said six fire engines from Malvern, Worcester, Upton, Droitwich, Whitchurch, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye were deployed, as firefighters worked day and night.

It is a similar picture across the UK, with the Fire Brigade Union saying the growing figures are “another strain on the dwindling resources”.

An FBU spokesman told ITV: “The growing risk of grass fires represents another strain on the dwindling resources of fire and rescue services currently experiencing severe budget cuts across the country.

“Fire services do not receive enough funding to respond to an increase on this scale.

“Does that sound like a properly resourced fire service?

“We also had reports of firefighters working for 17 hours straight to get the wildfires under control. That is simply not good enough,” he added.