STRAW worth �22,000 was destroyed after a free range pig farm was targeted in a suspected arson attack.

Witnesses reported seeing flames shooting 60ft in the air as more than 1,200 bails were engulfed in two separate blazes on the same farm in Cavenham, near Mildenhall.

Firefighters tackling one burning 25x10metre straw tower on Tuddenham Road at 11.50pm on Tuesday called for assistance after 150 more bails caught fire about an hour later.

Police, who with firefighters helped lead livestock away from the scene, said the fires are being linked.

Farmer Ben Spurgeon, who has been on the Cavenham site for three years, said his only comfort was that sows and 60 piglets had not been harmed.

Mr Spurgeon, 43, who said he would now have to quickly replace the expensive straw – bought for bedding for his 1,000 pigs – said it was not uncommon for arsonists to target straw stacks.

He added: “It’s mindless, absolutely mindless.

“People don’t realise how serious it can be. It could take the lives of animals, farmers or the emergency services.”

Duncan Marston, of nearby Mill Farm in Cavenham, said flames had reached “about 50 or 60ft”.

Anyone with information is asked to call Suffolk Constabulary on 101.