A FIELD of crops at a family-owned farm near Athelstaneford has been left with half a kilometre of damage after fly tippers targeted the land to dump and set fire to a "van load" of rubbish.

Lucy and Russell Calder, from North Berwick, were left disappointed after 500 metres of crop was destroyed when fly tippers drove through a field of growing wheat on Monday evening in an attempt to get rid of rubbish.

Items such as general rubbish, plant pots and miscellaneous garden items appear to have been left in the area.

The couple, who took over the arable farm from Russell's grandfather in 2010, are in disbelief over the "selfish, destructive and dangerous" incident.

Lucy said: "It was a rubbish day on the farm, literally.

"If there is such thing as extreme fly tipping, we have a winner.

"Someone has decided to take a drive through the middle of a growing crop of wheat and dump rubbish and set fire to it

"Completely senseless."

She added that the police and East Lothian Council have been made aware of the situation.

She continued: "I just cannot get my head around it.

"It's selfish, destructive and dangerous.

"500 metres of crop is destroyed, a fire put out and a huge job to clear the site to make sure no wildlife is harmed.

The farm, which has been in the Calder family since 1963, is home to East Lothian's pumpkin patch.

Anyone with information about the incident or whom recognises any items in the photographs (attached) should contact the farm.