A VALE farmer who lost more than £20,000-worth of straw in a suspected arson attack claims those responsible should pick up the tab.

Joe Furness of Vale Farm, Saintbury, was devastated to discover around 2,100 bales of wheat straw had been set alight last Saturday. The incident, at a field the farmer rents at Red Lane, Hampton, is thought to have started at around 5.30pm.

The father of two said: "The police called at around 6pm on Saturday and told me every bale was on fire, but there was nothing I could do. I felt gutted - it's difficult enough farming on the urban fringe, but when this sort of thing happens it makes you wonder why you bother farming at all."

Jim Griffiths, whose house on School Road stands opposite the field, said: "We had seen the fire brigade going up about 20 minutes before - it was pitch dark and I went out through my front gate and saw this enormous blaze. It looked like a street had been bombed, but the field is in the middle of farmland so there is nothing nearby."

Despite being insured Mr Furness fears he could lose up to £10,000 from the blaze, as he will only be paid the current market rate for the straw. He added: "I feel frustrated rather than angry.

"There is very little chance of this being anything other than arson. Like most of these cases it often turns out to be young kids and I think the parents should pick up the tab. Those responsible have obviously got nothing better to do than go around destroying other people's property."

Evesham police confirmed they are treating the incident as suspicious and are appealing for information about a car seen in the area shortly before the blaze took hold.