A MASSIVE blaze which swept through an Alcester nursery business, causing thousands of pounds of damage, is thought to have been an arson attack.

Springfield Nursery owners Jim and Sue Adams, of Hertford Road, were woken at about 1.30am on Friday by "the sound of fireworks" and found their next-door bedding plant business ablaze.

Mr Adams, who set up his business in 1949, said: "Sue went to the window and saw the whole building up in flames, with our stock and all our expensive machinery inside.

"The whole estate could hear the bangs as the flames hit the asbestos in the roof."

Fire fighters from Alcester, Studley and Stratford arrived at the scene and the fire was under control by 2.45am.

Environmental health chiefs say there are no long-term health risks from the asbestos or fertiliser stored there, but the 70-metre long building was completely gutted.

Mr Adams said: "I don't know where we're going to go from here.

"This has caused thousands of pounds of damage."

Warwickshire police have launched an investigation into the incident, which they are treating as a deliberate attack.

Arsonists are also believed to have targeted a tree house in a field off Winchcombe Road on Sunday.

Smoke was seen pouring from the area at about 4.30pm and police are keen to trace the movements of a group of youngsters seen leaving the field and heading for St Mary's Park, near Throckmorton Road.

The incidents are the latest in a spate of suspected arson attacks, including a fire in a playing field off St Faith's Road on September 3.

On September 1, three bins were set alight near a BMX track in Moorfield Park.

Witnesses to any of the attacks are asked to contact Alcester Police Station on 01789 762207 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.