Firefighters tackle massive wildfire at stately home where Colin Firth stripped off as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice

FIREFIGHTERS last night tackled a huge wildfire at the stately home where Colin Firth famously stripped off in Pride and Prejudice.

Flames erupted on moorland in Lyme Park in Cheshire just after 4pm on Thursday.

Fire crews battled the blaze on the 1,400-acre National Trust estate, with about 15 acres destroyed.

There have been no injuries but those living in the area were told to keep their windows and doors open as a precaution.

Dramatic pictures show thick black smoke billowing over the moorland as flames blanket the dry grass.

There are now large patches of charred moorland, but the fire was said to be under control.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The fire has affected an area covering six hectares.

"The area will be monitored overnight by firefighters with hose reel jets and beaters to ensure that the fire does not flare up again."

Lyme Park famously featured as Pemberley - home to Mr Darcy - in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Colin Firth cemented himself as a sex symbol when he emerged dripping wet from the lake in front of Jennifer Ehle’s Elizabeth Bennett.