A COUPLE have had their “tranquil” allotment destroyed after arsonists set fire to a shed and greenhouse in Ludgershall on Sunday.

Donna and Ian Sugden spent £2,000 developing the allotment on Coronation Road but have now seen all of their hard work go up in flames as they were unable to get insurance for the site.

Donna said: “We got a call from the town clerk who said it was burned to the ground.

“She said she had never seen anything so bad. So it was hard to go back and see the damage.

“We have been working on our allotment for seven years ever since we moved into the area after my husband was posted here with 22 Engineer Regiment.

“We have spent well over £2,000 collectively on our greenhouse, shed, decking table and chairs and it has been a therapeutic project of ours ever since we grew our first tomatoes.”

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said they were called to the site at 5.20pm on Sunday where they extinguished the flames which destroyed both the greenhouse and wooden shed at the allotment.

The police said that they have arrested a 16 year old boy from Ludgershall and a 17 year old boy from Tidworth on suspicion of arson.

“Just two and a half hours before the incident, at 3pm my husband, Ian, was watering the plants and taking care of the bedding and streaming the grass,” Donna added.

Not only has the fire destroyed the greenhouse and shed but all of their gardening equipment which they used to tend to the garden at their house.

The couple sought insurance for the allotment before the fire but couldn’t find an insurer who was willing to provide cover and they are now hoping that people will be able to donate unused equipment to them.

“Everything was in the shed that burnt down. We don’t even have a wheelbarrow to help us clear the site.

“Allotments are places solace and this has completely affected our lives.”

Police are carrying out an investigation into the incident and would like to hear from anybody who was in the area between the hours of 5pm and 7pm and saw any suspicious activity to get in touch.

Call PC Tim Bunt on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously if preferred.