A HECTARE of crops was destroyed when a combine harvester caught alight and the resulting fire spread to the surrounding corn field.

Five fire appliances were called to the scene after farm workers at Church Farm, Five Oak Green, near Tonbridge, failed to tackle the field fire, which started with a fault in the combine harvester's electrics.

Fire crews were called to the incident at around 5.20pm on Wednesday afternoon, and were at the scene for just over two hours.

One firefighter had to be treated for smoke inhalation.