A farmer's kind deed has backfired after hundreds of bales of straw caught alight last night.

More than 300 bales were destroyed by a fire in Push Barn Road, Broomfield, which broke out at around 8.40pm on Saturday.

It is understood the owners of Eckley Farm in Staplehurst had bundled the straw for livestock farmers to use after a difficult year.

Guy Eckley, owner of Pure Kent and Eckley Farm, rents the land in Broomfield to grow rape plants and winter wheat.

He said: "I believe it was arson. It was well stacked straw, it wasn't likely to heat up on its own.

"My neighbour called it in, he went and picked up chips and when he came back it was on fire, in the space of 10 minutes it went from no problem to burning on the outside pile."

Three fire engines were sent to the scene, where 350 tonnes of straw was destroyed, one fire engine remained overnight to let the fire burn out.

Farmers assisted by using equipment to create fire breaks and stop the flames from spreading further.

UK Power Networks was called amid concerns the fire could damage nearby power lines.

The fire was out by 2pm today.

There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is currently unknown.