FORTY tonnes of manure were deliberately set alight at a south Buckinghamshire equestrian centre, firefighters believe.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue was called to Waylands Equestrian Centre in Seer Green last night to reports that 40 tonnes of manure were ablaze.

Crews from High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and two from Aylesbury – including a specialist Bobcat vehicle usually used in search and rescue missions – attended the Rawlings Lane centre at 9.17pm on Tuesday

Firefighters were at the scene for four hours fighting the blaze. Fire chiefs believe the fire may have been started deliberately.