Firefighters tackling wildfire near Mourne Mountains in Co Down

By Cate McCurry, PA

Dozens of firefighters are tackling a wildfire near the Mourne Mountains in Co Down.

A spokesman for Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said they received a call shortly after 5pm on Saturday.

Firefighters are tackling a wildfire on Sandbank Road, Hilltown, with a fire front of approximately two miles.

Eight fire appliances and 68 firefighters are attending from Rathfriland, Kilkeel, Warrenpoint, Banbridge, Newry, Newcastle, Ballycastle, Coleraine, Armagh and Kilrea Fire Stations supported by a Command Support Unit and other specialist vehicles.

People have been asked to avoid the area, while a number of roads have been closed to help support firefighting operations.