Three west Dorset eateries are showing their support for the Australian rural fire service and giving customers the chance to win £500.

The Hive Beach Café in Burton Bradstock, The Watch House Café in West Bay and The Club House in West Bexington are challenging customers to balance a £1 on a lemon in water for 30 seconds for a chance to win £500 of gift vouchers to spend across the three sites or on a weekend away at the Hive Cottage in Burton Bradstock.

All proceeds will be donated to the NSW Rural Fire Service, along with the £500 if it is not won.

Steve Attrill, owner of Hive Beach Café, The Watch House and The Club House, said: “In the past we have supported loads of charities, home and away, including Haiti and Love Food Give Food being our last successful one, raising just over £4,000. All of the company’s staff embrace the challenge and all realise how lucky we are living in Dorset.

“One of the reasons that we are raising money for Australia is that Debs [Steve’s wife] worked as a flying doctor in NSW, but the main reason is all of our staff feel very passionate that they want to help and support the hard work of the rural Australian firefighters.

“A lot of our staff have travelled through Australia and recognise the selfless work that the firefighters are doing on a daily basis. Many are volunteers and have lost their own houses and lives to save other people’s properties.”

The NSW Rural Fire Service has been tackling more than 100 bushfires across the east coast, fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought. More than 25 people have been killed, including four firefighters, with thousands of koalas, kangaroos and wildlife also perishing.

Heavy rainfall in parts of the country has brought much-needed relief, but it's warned the fires could keep burning if hot and dry weather conditions continue.