Four boys from Coggeshall have been arrested after a deliberate blaze destroyed 1,000 tonnes of hay. 

The 14-year-olds were all arrested at the scene off Ambridge Road, Coggeshall at around 5pm on Tuesday after the blaze started at 4.45pm.

They have been released on bail until December. 

A spokesman for Essex Police said they were investigating the blaze, which fire crews monitored until yesterday morning. 

The incident commander at Essex Fire and Rescue Service said the haystack measured 30m by 50m and was 10 metres tall.

Four fire crews tackled the fire which was then allowed to burn itself out overnight.