FIRE crews spent three hours tackling a blaze in undergrowth next to a Hampshire railway line.

Trains had to be slowed down as they passed through Hedge End railway station yesterday evening as firefighters had to climb over the safety fence to cross onto the tracks to battle the flames.

A 30m-long stretch of bushes and undergrowth, dried by the hot weather, was engulfed by fire, just a few hundred yards from the station platform.

It is not known what caused the blaze.

Firefighters from Hightown and a Land Rover response vehicle from Hamble were called to the scene at around 6.30pm.