A SCENE of devastation was laid bare after the biggest fire in the Burnham area's history - a kilometre-long inferno started deliberately, which led to 999 calls being made as far away as Wales.

Fortunately no people were injured and no buildings destroyed in the blaze, which consumed some 40,000 square metres of reedbank.

But nearby buildings had to be evacuated, as was Berrow beach and the nearby Burnham and Berrow golf club, as fire crews battled to bring the fire under control.

For more on this story pick up this week's Burnham Mercury.