A BUS caught fire near Chard today (April 29).

The bus was travelling through Buckland St Mary at about 12.15pm when a small fire started in the engine compartment.

Firefighters attended the scene but the fire had been extinguished by a nearby mechanic before the fire service could get there.

There was a small amount of fire damage to the engine compartment.

The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.