Arsonists are believed to have started a fire which destroyed 500 tonnes of hay and a tractor in an Oxford barn.

The blaze, pictured, began in a Dutch Bay barn in Binsey Lane, off Botley Road, at about 2am on Monday.

At its height six fire engines and 50 firefighters tackled the blaze.

Watch manager Bob Paterson said the flames had reached 20ft by the time they got to the scene.

He said they had initially been concerned the fire would spread to the nearby The Perch Inn in Binsey, which has a thatched roof.

Stephane Leporc, the pub's duty manager, said: "I saw the smoke but nothing here was damaged."

Mr Paterson said the barn belonged to Christ Church college but was being rented by a farmer.