A GORSE fire raged at the edge of the UK’s newest castle at Drewesteignton yesterday.

Castle Drogo, which has undergone a multi-million pound renovation to make it water-tight, was surrounded by the wet stuff as two fire crews tackled the blaze outside the National Trust treasure.

Some 200 square metres of gorse and forest was affected by the fire which was reported just after 10.30am by a witness on the public footpath next the Grade One Listed castle, which was built 100 years ago by Edwin Lutyens.

Firefighters from Moretonhampstead and Chagford had difficulty accessing the seat of the blaze overlooking the Teign Valley.

A hosereel jet was used to knock out the flames with compressed air foam and beaters.