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Ruth Rowatt, of Bluebell Railway, said its steam trains would not be in use until September due to the drought and risk of lineside fires.

“We need to protect the beautiful Sussex countryside that lines 11 miles (17.9km) of our track, protect our neighbours and protect our staff and volunteers,” she said.

“Lineside fires are very common and part of running a steam railway. However, this drought has taken temperatures to extreme levels, and the lines are so dry that any small spark is going to cause a much bigger problem.”

Rowatt said the railway had seen a “huge drop off” in passengers, which she expected would impact them by about £250,000 over the school holiday period.

Kent & East Sussex Railway has also cancelled its steam engine services, with all train services operated by its heritage diesel locomotives until further notice.

Since Friday, Kent Fire & Rescue Service has attended two wildfires – one of which, in Hampstead Lane in Yalding, near Maidstone, is believed to have been started deliberately – and two field fires.

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