Vandals have caused almost £80,000 worth of damage to a County Londonderry farm.

Around 30 bags of fertiliser were slashed during the attack, which took place at Gilbert Crawford's farm on the Knocknakeilt Road in the early hours of Sunday.

A large quantity of diesel was also poured onto the yard.

Mr Crawford said it was the third such attack at his farm - following incidents on Easter Monday and another one a few days later.

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"They slashed over 100 half tonne bags of fertiliser they also slashed six tonne of 100 weight bags of fertiliser, cut the diesel pipe and let out 2,000 litres of red diesel," said Mr Crawford.

"And (they) and cut the derv pipe and let out over £4,000 litres of derv onto the ground and it flowed into the field beside the yard."

Speaking to the News Letter, Mr Crawford's son Jonathan said that as a result of the previous attacks, the family installed security measures such as razor wire and cameras.

"It's a really horrible situation, just such a waste, one of those kind of things that you just wake up dreading and wishing it would go away," he said.

Police have begun an investigation.

(JM/JM)