FIREFIGHTERS tackled 300 tonnes of burning hay after a passing motorist raised the alarm.

Jackie Dobbs, 44, of Marks Tey, was heading to husband Kevin’s removals firm when she spotted the fire in Church Lane, Stanway.

It is believed the blaze, which broke out at about 2pm, was started deliberately as three stacks of approximately 100 tonnes each - 50 yards apart - all went up in flames at the same time.

Firefighters damped down one of the hay stacks, which bordered a neighbouring garden, while the other two were pulled apart and left to burn.