A DERELICT farm outbuilding in Over Hulton has been destroyed in an arson attack.

The barn in Spout Fold Farm, off Breeze Hill Road, was set alight at around 8.30pm yesterday.

The outbuilding had been used to store hay and equipment but the farm is not currently in working use and no people or animals were injured in the blaze.

Two Bolton fire crews were called to the scene and spent around four hours tackling the flames. Police are now investigating the fire as a deliberate ignition.

The barn, which could now be structurally unsafe, will be examined by Bolton Council’s dangerous buildings inspector. It is expected a controlled demolition will be carried out.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The fire fighters managed to get it under control by midnight and a few small pockets of controlled burning were left overnight.

“A crew from Atherton returned this morning to finish the job. To have stayed there all night in an unsafe building would have put our crews in danger – this was the best use of our resources.”