Firefighters are asking motorists to be 'courteous' to emergency vehicles and avoid parking in places that makes it difficult for them to get past.

The plea was issued by Wellington Fire Station after a fire engine had problems getting round parked cars on a callout on Saturday.

A spokesperson said: "When responding out of Wellington yesterday the crews were hampered in their response by some difficult manoeuvres due to parking.

"We understand on narrower streets parking is difficult but please continue to be courteous for any emergency vehicles that may need to pass."

A photograph published on the station's Facebook page showed the engine passing one car parked on a road and another mostly on the pavement.

One comment on Facebook raised the issue of the width of roads on new housing estates, suggesting it was something that should be taken up with the planning authority.

On Saturday, both Wellington fire engines and a crew from Wiveliscombe attended a fire in a boiler at a home near Wiveliscombe in the morning, and a one engine from Wellington was sent to a chimney fire in the Vivary area of Taunton in the evening.

On Sunday, the 'first away' crew attended a fire in Norton Fitzwarren alongside a crew from Taunton, where a woman was rescued from a fire in a flat in the early hours.