Dramatic footage has emerged of an enormous grassland fire covering eight hectares in the field behind Bethlem Hospital in Beckenham. 

The fire, which broke out shortly before 7pm on Thursday night, is pictured raging through the field from a helicopter hovering above.

Four fire engines and 25 firefighters were called to the scene shortly before 7pm and managed to put the fire out by 9.30pm.

Crews from Beckenham, Woodside, Addington and Bromley were in attendance.

A spokeswoman from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said: "We can confirm that the London Fire Brigade was called to a grass fire on the edge of the grounds of Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, yesterday evening.

"No patients or wards were evacuated and no one was harmed. 

“The fire, which affected around eight hectares, was extinguished last night."

The grassland blaze comes after London Fire Brigade said it is tired of "politely asking" people to take care in grassy areas and not leave anything that can cause a fire.