Police have hit out at a “despicable and totally irresponsible act” which saw a large outdoor fire caused by a disposed barbecue.

Lincolnshire Police said 400 square metres (around one-and-a-half tennis courts) of grassland was lost yesterday (Friday) due to a barbecue being thrown into a field.

The fire started at around 5pm near a wooded area on the west side of Cawthorpe, Bourne.

Police said: “Two fire crews were required to prevent this fire spreading further, eventually getting it under control. This is a despicable and totally irresponsible act by an unknown person/s, even more so in this current Covid-19 climate.

“We are appealing for your help to identify them. The crime number is 20000210589.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting the crime number.