ARSONISTS have set fire to 1,000 tonnes of straw in a barn at Maugersbury, Near Stow, on Bonfire Night, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The barn and straw were destroyed in the fire which was reported at 10.15pm.

Gloucestershire police say the arsonists entered the farmyard via an unclassified road. A vehicle was seen driving off immediately before the fire and two people were seen watching the fire from about a mile away.

Anyone with information or who may have seen someone behaving suspiciously in the area is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 515 of November 5.