A Renewed warning has gone out to shops and businesses in Witney about rubbish bin fires.

The town's firefighters have been called out twice in recent weeks to deal with potentially dangerous incidents with fires set alight in refuse containers.

One was at the Somerfield store in High Street and another at the Church Green offices of West Oxfordshire District Council.

Matt Smith, community safety officer at Witney fire station, said: "For potential fire starters, rubbish and their containers are an easy target.

"Last year we saw a high number of fires of this type occurring in Witney. Unfortunately, it seems as if this pattern is starting to reoccur."

A string of small blazes had to be dealt with by the local fire crews, including incidents at Woolworths and Poundstretcher at The Leys.

The fire service is urging all businesses not to store rubbish in prominent places, but to make sure containers are locked up, away from buildings.

Mr Smith is willing to give detailed advice on fire safety and can be called on 01993 201683.