Firefighters tackled a wildfire on Sunday, just two days after a large fire broke out in the same 'tinderbox dry' area.

The bushfire spread across grassland, measuring 20 metres by 20 metres, in Priest Hill, off Reigate Road, in Ewell.

An Epsom fire station spokeswoman said they were called to burning undergrowth and grass at 2.30pm and did not leave the scene until nearly 5pm.

On Friday afternoon firefighters fought a large fire that covered several hundred metres of tinder-dry grassland in Priest Hill near Reigate Road.

At the time a Leatherhead firefighter said the cause of the blaze was not yet known but italmost certainly related to the heatwave and dry grassland made it hard to contain.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service issued a warning on Saturday after a ‘huge increase’ in wildfires after being called out to 40 in just 48 hours.

Fire investigation officer Keith Leman said: "The current lack of rain and tinderbox-dry conditions provide the perfect recipe for wildfires, whether accidental or deliberate.

"Once they start they can spread quickly, causing devastation to the countryside, wildlife and property and posing a risk to life, both to the public and the firefighters tackling them.

"A discarded match, a cigarette end thrown from a car, a barbecue or a bonfire are all it takes to spark a wildfire."

"We have invested in off-road firefighting equipment and developed new wildfire fighting tactics to keep the county safe, but Surrey residents and visitors have a clear role to play in preventing wildfire this summer by taking extra care while they enjoy the sun.

"They can also help to stop the spread by calling 999 immediately if they see smoke or a fire in the countryside."