A 200 tonne pile of horse manure was set alight in Halstead.

The heap, at the top of Tidings Hill, opposite Grange Close, was set fire to deliberately at about 5pm on Tuesday, according to Essex Fire and Rescue.

When two fire engines from Halstead arrived at 5.15pm, the pile was 20 per cent alight.

Using two jet hoses, they reduced the fire to only 10 per cent of the muck heap by 6.30pm.

The firemen left by 7pm, returning several times throughout the night and into Wednesday morning to dampen down the fire and treat any hot spots.