BOLTON DJ Sara Cox has thanked fire crews after her father's farm was ravaged by fire set by vandals over the weekend.

The BBC Radio 2 star took to social media reporting that a gang of youths had targeted the haylage stored at the Grundy Fold Farm in Tong Road, Little Lever, totally destroying it.

A crew from Farnworth Community fire station is understood to have attended the incident.

In a tweet Ms Cox said: "Huge thanks to @FireBolton crew for helping my dad last night when a gang of young idiots set fire to his haylage, destroying it. Farms aren’t playgrounds for bored kids - police haven’t been able to help, struggling to find a solution.Just want my dad&his property kept safe."

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "We were called at 10.45pm on Saturday to Grundy Fold Farm.

"There was a large quantity of hay on fire. One crew attended and they let the fire burn out, but stayed at the scene to make sure the fire did not spread, then left at around 3am

"There was no other damage and it was all kept under control." 

The incident is not the first time Ms Cox has been touched by a tragic fire in Bolton.

In 2003, Gus, a 26-year-old horse ridden by Ms Cox in her youth, and generations of children, suffered horrific burns when an arsonist set fire to his stables off Cedar Avenue, Little Lever.

It was believed that the attacker poured petrol over Gus's blanket before setting it on fire. 

Gus was badly disfigured by burns down one side of his body, as well as losing an eyelid and the tips of his ears.

He then underwent daily treatment and in the subsequent weeks slowly began to recover from his injuries.

However tragedy struck again and while returning to his stable one weekend Gus tripped and fell to the ground, tearing his skin which had not yet fully healed.

A vet was called out but Gus was in incredible pain and nothing could be done to treat his injuries, and the decision was made to put him down.