MORE than 50 tonnes of hay and straw went up in flames in Swingfield, near Folkestone, on Tuesday evening.

Firefighters from Folkestone, Ashford, Canterbury, Aylesham and Wingham were called to Boyington Court Farm off the Canterbury Road just before 6.30pm and worked to prevent the flames spreading from the 50 metre by 30 metre barn, which was destroyed, to neighbouring buildings.

Firefighters were ordered to stand down wind from the smoke for safety as asbestos was discovered.

The team, including a decontamination unit, was still at the farm this morning to check the fire was completely extinguished. No one was hurt.