ALMOST 40 firefighters from three counties spent the night and part of yesterday morning tackling a suspected arson attack on a farm near Banbury.

A large stack of straw bales, pictured, the length of five double-decker buses, was on fire from 7.30pm on Tuesday until mid-morning yesterday.

Five fire engines and 38 firefighters, including members of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Services, were called to tackle the fire.

South Central Ambulance Service attended, but no-one was hurt.

Fire scene investigators do not yet know the origin of the fire, but say it looks suspicious.

Thames Valley Police is investigating but no one has been questioned for possible arson at this stage.

The fire took hold in a field off the B4100 at Park Farm, Gullicote Lane, in Hanwell, just north of Banbury.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Stuart Garner said: β€œAt its height a total of five fire engines and supporting vehicles attended. A total of 38 firefighters used water jets to bring it under control, surround it and prevent it from spreading to adjoining trees.”