There are fears that grassland across Oxfordshire could become a tinderbox if the drought continues this summer.

Firefighters fear dry weather could see ground drying out and a discarded cigarette, or even abandoned glass, could create a fire that spread across the countryside.

Rainfall over the past eight months has been so low that experts say it has been the driest period since 1976.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue's risk reduction officer Julian Green said: "If the drought continues and we have a very hot summer there is a higher risk of grass catching fire and spreading across fields in the countryside.

"People should be particularly careful about dropping cigarette ends, and fires can even be started by glass."

The owners of thatched cottages have also been warned to take extra precautions during the dry spell.

Thatched cottages are more vulnerable to fire than ordinary houses but fire is likely to start on the inside from the heat in the chimney rather than from the outside.

Mr Green said: "Wood and coal burning stoves are particularly bad as more heat builds up in the chimney.

"If there is a spark that lands in the thatch it is less likely to catch on fire during a dry summer than if the thatch is wet. But then people tend to light fires less in the summer."

A hosepipe ban was announced by Thames Water six weeks ago because of a lack of rainfall. Thames Water is drawing water supplies from a contingency reserve for the first time in eight years because of low levels of rainfall.

Mr Green advised owners of thatched cottages to keep a hosepipe handy despite the ban.

He said: "In case of an emergency using a hosepipe will not be a problem."

Thatched cottages can be particularly vulnerable to fire.

Last August a row of cottages in Stanford in the Vale were destroyed by fire.

Fire prevention information for the owners of thatched cottages is available by calling 08000 325999 or by e-mailing community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk