The mother of a seven-year old boy who set fire to a barn today said the farmer had banned him from visiting again.

Donna Langridge, from Canvey, admitted her son Keith had been playing with matches and a lighter in the barn at Malyons Farm, in Malyons Lane, Hullbridge, with farmer Ken Beckwith's grandson Ryan.

She claims following the fire Mr Beckwith told her she had to remove her two horses from the stables on his land and banned the family from the premises.

Mrs Langridge said she had kept her two horses, Khulio and Mille, there for more than a year.

She said: "This has really upset us. I can understand why he would not want Keith to go there but it is taking it too far by banning the rest of us."

Mr Beckwith said he did not wish to comment.

Yesterday he said he did not blame the boys.

Published Wednesday, May 28, 2003

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