FIREFIGHTERS responded to a spate of incidents across Gwent yesterday on the busiest weekend of the year for crews.

Incidents included fires near shops, vehicles set alight, refuse fires and trees and hedges 'deliberately' set ablaze.

At around 3.30pm crews responded to a report of an unsafe unlit bonfire close to buildings in Bettws, Newport.

A crew from Ebbw Vale were called to reports of a refuse fire in a park in Georgetown, Tredegar, at around 4.20pm.

At around 5.30pm rubbish was 'deliberately' set on fire on the A48 Southern Distributor Road in Newport.

A mountain fire was reported in Eglwysilan, Caerphilly county borough, at around 5.40pm.

Meanwhile a crew responded to a report of trees 'deliberately' set on fire in Forgeside, Blaenavon, at around 5.50pm.

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a field in Blackwood at around 6.15pm.

A vehicle fire was reported in Brynmawr at around 6.20pm, while a tree was reported on fire in Caerphilly at 6.40pm.

An unsupervised bonfire was reported in Abertysswg, Caerphilly county borough, at around 6.45pm.

A bin was set alight near a door to a home in Somerton, Newport, at around 6.55pm.

An uncontrolled bonfire was reported in a field in Rassau, Ebbw Vale, at 7.10pm.

Hedges were reportedly 'deliberately' set on fire in Roseheyworth, Abertillery, at 7.25pm, at the same time as a separate fire in Llantarnam, Cwmbran.

Reports of youths throwing petrol on a large bonfire in Waunlwyd, Ebbw Vale, were responded to at 8.15pm.

An unsupervised fire near a shop in Pill, Newport, was reported at 8.30pm.

Refuse was reportedly set on fire near the railway station in High Cross, Newport, at around 8.55pm.

For non emergencies or to contact a member of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service call 01268 909408.

If you are having a large bonfire or a controlled burn, let the fire service know by calling the above number.