ARSONISTS are thought to be responsible for trying to torch 50 tonnes of hay in a field outside Starcross.

Two fire crews were called to extinguish the night-time blaze in a field on the back road between Kenton and Starcross on Friday.

Their quick work saved the bulk to the hay with just three tonnes being destroyed in the inferno off a lane leading to Stile Farm.

A fire spokesman said afterwards that the matter was being treated as deliberate. Police had been informed.

Firefighters from Middlemoor and Dawlish tackled the blaze which required damping down the following day.

The alarm was raised just before 8.30pm.

Each bale, weighing a tonne, had been stored in the middle of the remote field.

The area around the field was drenched to prevent any possible spread of the fire.

Anyone with information about the suspicious incident should contact police on 101