A fire which destroyed 220 tonnes of hay and threatened to ravage an entire wood was started deliberately.

Firefighters battled for more than six hours to control the blaze.

The fire started in a massive stack of hay next to woods in Bordehill Lane, Haywards Heath, shortly before 4pm yesterday.

Firefighters continued damping down until 6.45am today.

Anyone with information is asked to call 0845 6070999.

Firefighters from Crawley dealt with a field fire in Prestwood Lane, Ifield yesterday.