A FARMER from Malvern is devastated after seeing six acres of his barley crops destroyed in an arson attack.

Mike Simpson, who runs Grove End Farm in Guarlford, on the edge of Great Malvern, said yesterday's fire on a 15-acre field has cost him around £2,500 in terms of sale of the crop and the cost of replacing it.

"It has happened five or six times before and it is definitely arson as it always happens on the fields next to Elgar Avenue," he said.

Mr Simpson, who owns around 70 acres of farmland in Sherrard's Green, grows cereal crops and has been there for 15 years.

He believes bored youngsters are responsible for the fires.

"As soon as the schools break-up there is a good chance of a fire," he said.

"It just annoys me that we know it is going to happen every year and nothing seems to be done about it.

"We will now try to get the rest of the crops harvested before it goes up in smoke."

Although no one was hurt in the attack, Mr Simpson is concerned that one day someone will be.

Firefighters from Worcester and Malvern arrived at the scene at 12.03pm and used hand beaters to put out the fire.

"Around 20 or so fire- fighters circled the fire and managed to put it out remarkably quickly considering it was such a hot day," said Alec Mackie, spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire Service.

"The fire was prevented from spreading to nearby property and other fields."

If anyone has any information about the fire they should contact the police on 08457 444 888 and quote 262S/060803.