AN ABANDONED Range Rover had its roof blown off in a dramatic explosion that woke people up in the surrounding area.

Residents were woken by a big bang shortly after midnight after the vehicle exploded on the Bewdley Road between Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley.

Fire crews from Stourport and Kidderminster were called to the scene at around 12.27am and quickly brought the blaze under control.

Firefighters initially thought the explosion was at a radio mast at Burlish Top, near Bewdley, but later discovered a burned-out vehicle off Bewdley Road which was identified as the source of the bang.

The explosion is believed to been caused by liquid petroleum gas inside and fire fighters say it is possible the fire was started on purpose.

Alec Mackie, of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We were called by a number of people who had been woken up by this loud explosion. There was not much left of this Range Rover. It went "pop".The suspicion is that it had been stolen, dumped and set on fire. Maybe the person who had stolen it or dumped it didn't realise the danger that he or she was in when they torched it. LPG in a motor vehicle when it explodes will cause an awful lot of damage.The roof will be blown off."

No-one was injured in the incident.