The fire service is urging anyone who wants to burn rubbish in their gardens during lockdown to tell it first.

With all amenity sites being closed, it said people might be tempted to burn things instead of taking them to the tip.

A fire service spokesman said: ’While you may be tidying up and having a spring clean, your neighbours may have a different view and be peeved that their washing or open windows are now exposed and reek of smoke.

’If you fail to inform the control room before you start, when smoke is produced some persons will phone it in. If we don’t know it’s a controlled burn we assume the worst, and respond. We would prefer to keep our movements to an absolute minimum.’

The control room can be contacted by phoning 647300.