Hargreaves Plants Ltd's new strawberry trial site has been completely destroyed, prompting a criminal investigation and extensive insurance claim.

The alleged malicious act wiped out two years' worth of the firm's work – an extensive trial programme of new strawberry cultivars.

'It has been a major blow to us,' said Hargreaves plants director Rupert Hargreaves. 'After successfully establishing our SupaViga brand of quality plants, this was the next phase in our marketing plans – namely to be able to give customers comprehensive details on new varieties.' Replanting is to start in early spring, when over 60 new strawberry, raspberry and bush fruit varieties are to be sown for trials and evaluation.

Hargreaves technical advisor Dr Tony Hayter said: 'We were sorry to lose so much valuable work, but now we have an opportunity to re-think our aims.

'Apart from the normal qualities necessary for a successful new introduction, such as yield, shelf life etc, we are going further.'

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