DETECTIVES believe a barn fire which caused £25,000 damage may have been a prank which got out of hand.

Fire crews and police were called to the barn fire off Binsey Lane, off Botley Road, Oxford, in the early hours of Monday as flames reached 20ft high.

The barn was destroyed along with hay and farm equipment inside and yesterday detectives appealed for witnesses to help their hunt for the arsonists.

No-one has yet come forward but Det Con Leila Kennett was hopeful customers at the Perch pub and anyone else in the area a few hours before the blaze was discovered may have vital information.

Det Con Kennett said: "We believe the fire could have started three or four hours earlier so I appeal to people leaving the Perch pub and other people who were in the area at around 11pm to come forward if they saw anything which could help our inquiry.

"Evidence of a small fire was found near-by with an exploded aerosol can. It is possible that this was a prank by youths which got out of hand.

"A number of people filmed the fire and I would ask those people to contact me so I can view the footage as this may also help my inquiry."

Witnesses can call Det Con Kennett at Oxford police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.