ARSONISTS are being blamed for destroying up to six acres of corn in a Malvern field, in the third attack in two weeks.

The fire brigade sent four appliances and two off-road vehicles to tackle the blaze, which broke out in land off Mayfield Road at noon on Wednesday.

The crop had been due to be harvested yesterday (Thursday).

The blaze scorched a large area of the field and rendered more of the crop useless because of smoke damage.

It was extinguished within 20 minutes but the damage caused is likely cost the farmer £2,500.

Assistant divisional officer Joe Simpson, from the fire brigade, said he suspected arson and added the brigade had been to the same field three times in the past two weeks.

"You could have lost the field quite easily," he said.

Farmer Michael Simpson, who owns the crop, blamed children for starting the fire, something, he said, was an annual occurrence.

"We had a big one about five years ago where a lot of ground was set fire to," he said.

"It's taken me 12 months to grow the crops to this stage and it's ruined in a matter of minutes.

"They've obviously got no thought for the consequences at all.

"If there was a wind it could have take 70 acres of corn and possibly houses."

Police are appealing for anyone with information or who saw anybody acting suspiciously in the area to contact them on 08457 444 888 quoting 262S/060803.