MORE than 70 tonnes of hay and part of a large barn were destroyed by fire in an arson attack at a Bolton farm.

Firefighters battled throughout Saturday night to control the huge blaze at Horrocks Fold Farm off Belmont Road.

And they were still damping down and making sure the area was safe well into yesterday morning.

Shocked farmer John Taylor fears the total cost of the damage could reach £30,000.

Mr Taylor who has farmed there with his wife Jeanette for eight years said: "It's amazing how quickly it all went up. All the feed for about 400 sheep has been destroyed. Now we'll have to get a whole new batch before November."

About 40 beef cattle resting in part of the barn all escaped unscathed with the help of neighbouring farmers. Cattle feed stored in another part of the barn was not damaged. Fire crews from three different stations around Bolton were called in to tackle the blazing barn.

In total 3,000 bales of hay went up in flames and about half of the barn was destroyed.

A fire brigade spokesman said the fire had been started deliberately.

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