An Epsom resident's attempt to burn creeping ivy in his back garden spread, causing a small fire at Epsom Cricket Club.

Firefighters from Surrey Fire and Rescue Epsom, were called to reports of a 'fire in the open' at 4.30pm yesterday.

Two crews attended and discovered the fire, which started in the garden of a bungalow backing on to the club grounds had spread.

The firefighters extinguished the blaze, which damaged about 15 plastic cricket nets that had been up against the wall.

Crew Commander Bennett: said "It looked a lot worse than it was, there was a big plume of black smoke that could be seen.

"There was an ambulance crew who attended and treated the man who was in his 80s, for minor burns to his hands.

"When we got there we were able to put out the fire quite quickly and stop it spreading further.

"It was lucky two fire engines were available, because of the location it would have taken longer for one crew to deal with."