A barn blaze early yesterday morning is being treated as a case of suspected arson and linked with more than a dozen other similar fires in recent weeks.

Four fire engines from Droitwich, Bromsgrove and Worcester attended the incident at Little Gains Farm, near Wychbold, Droitwich, after receiving a mobile telephone call shortly after 4am yesterday morning.

Spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Alec Mackie, said the fire was opposite the radio masts alongside the M5.

"This is the fourteenth barn fire in the M5/M50 corridor through Worcestershire into Herefordshire in the last seven weeks, and in this case, arson is suspected."