A POLICE investigation has been launched into a fire which destroyed 45 bales of straw in a farmer's field at Ludgershall yesterday afternoon.

The blaze, which caused £1,500 worth of damage, broke out at about 4pm and fire crews spent several hours putting it out.

A police spokesman said later: "It is not known at this stage if the fire was started deliberately but four youth were seen running away from the scene shortly before the incident."

Witnesses are asked to contact Wiltshire police on 0845 408 7000.