A farm worker had a lucky escape when his combine harvester got too close to a power cable creating an arc of electricity which set fire to a field of crops.

Farm worker Tim Williams was working at Locks Farm in Coldharbour Lane, Patching, near Worthing, when the accident happened just before 1pm yesterday.

As the combine harvester passed underneath the power cables, sparks of electricity jumped from the cables setting fire to the crops.

Other farm workers raced to see if he was hurt but he walked away uninjured.

Farmer Alex Lock, who was working on a tractor nearby, said: "The power cables have always been quite low and when the combine harvester went near them it created an arc of electricity.

"It set fire to the field but the biggest scare was if Tim was all right.

"When I went to speak to him he said he was fine. I don't think he realised what had happened until afterwards.

"When the men realised the electricity had started a fire they immediately rang the fire brigade and moved the farm equipment out of the way."

Fire crews from East Preston, Worthing and Findon were called to tackle the blaze and were at the scene for almost two hours.

A brigade spokesman said: "The man was very lucky he was not electrocuted.

"It was the quick response of the first crew who arrived who limited the damage of the fire. The ground was very dry due to the hot weather.

"Because it was so hot yesterday we had an ambulance on standby in case any of the fire crews suffered from heat stress and fatigue."

The farm worker was unhurt but two acres of oats were destroyed by the blaze.

Seeboard engineers were at the scene yesterday afternoon.

Mr Lock said: "I estimate we lost three to four tonnes of oats, which is worth a couple of hundred pounds.

"I am just glad no one was hurt."