WEST Midlands Fire Service has taken nearly 1,000 calls over the last 24 hours.

The fire control team which covers West Midlands and Staffordshire has experienced a significantly higher than normal volume of calls and incidents.

Crews have attended a staggering 250 incidents since the evening of August 12.

West Midlands Fire Service tweeted: “We'd like to thank our @SWMFireControl team and firefighters across the service for their hard work during a very busy time. Their continuing efforts in dealing with a significantly higher than normal call volume/incidents during this #heatwave is a credit to our communities.

"Our @SWMFireControl team, which covers @WestMidsFire and @StaffsFire has taken nearly 1000 calls over the last 24 hours and has managed resources, fire crews and officers while mobilising to over 250 incidents since yesterday evening.

"While many of these incidents have been related to outdoor fires, thanks to effective planning, we've still continued to respond to other incidents such as RTC's, house fires and others as normal. But you can help!

"We'd like to ask the public to continue to support us, and other emergency services, by avoiding having bonfires or BBQs in gardens and public spaces and only dialling 999 when there's a genuine emergency. If you do have a fire or other emergency, don't hesitate to dial 999."