MORE than one hundred hay bales were damaged during a fire at a farm in Kilmarnock.

Detectives in East Ayrshire are investigating the blaze which happened in the Crookedholm area of the town on Sunday at around 4.40pm.

Police said emergency services attended a report of fire at Ralstonhill Farm on Milton Road. The fire was extinguished and over one hundred hay bales were found to be damaged.

No-one was injured as a result of the fire.

Detective Inspector Paul Richmond, at Kilmarnock CID, said: “Our enquiries are at an early stage however following a joint investigation with the fire service we are treating this incident as wilful.

“We are currently viewing CCTV footage in an attempt to identify the person or persons responsible for starting the fire.

“Four males in their late teens or early 20s, wearing hooded tops, were seen in the vicinity around the time the fire started and I appeal to anyone who has seen these men hanging around the area to contact police immediately as they may be able to provide information that can assist our enquiries.”

Anyone with information should contact Kilmarnock CID via telephone number 101 quoting incident number 3678 of 11 November 2018. Alternatively calls can be made via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.