Farm's harvest at risk after barn arson attack

The farm's owners said they were 'gutted' by the fire

A farmer whose barn was destroyed in a "pointless" arson attack has said their next harvest has been put at risk by the damage.

Moira Morley and her husband Darren lost 300 bales of straw, two sheds and farming equipment in the fire near Whitby on Sunday.

North Yorkshire Police said they were treating the incident near Green Lane as suspicious.

Mrs Morley, whose husband's family have farmed the land for three generations, said: "I'm gutted. It's just so unnecessary, it's just so pointless."

The straw sheds on the farm were destroyed in the blaze

She added: "I want people to come forward to help get people to court."

The fire continued to smoulder several days later, and the family has tried to rebuild the sheds in time for July's harvest.

"I don't know yet if it's going to be done in time," Mrs Morley said.

"We have no bedding for the cattle. Our neighbours have been helping us bring the straw out."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said enquiries into the attack were ongoing.

More than 300 bales of straw were burned in the blaze

Mrs Morley said the Whitby community had been supportive following the fire and the family had been inundated with offers of help. They own cattle and their main crop is corn.

"We couldn't live in a better place," she said.

"It's a proper old-fashioned community."

A cooked meal had even been left on their doorstep anonymously.

"I could have hugged the person," she said.

"We are both from Whitby, but we didn't realise until this how good the people are."

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