A scrapyard boss fears he could be forced out of business after a scrap handling machine was destroyed in an arson attack.

Darren Owen, who runs Chase Car Spares, Chaseside Drive, Cannock, believes the tracked machine which uses a crane to move scrap vehicles around was essential to his business.

He said: “It was worth between £25,000 and £30,000, but it could cost up to £100,000 to replace.

“With scrap metal prices so high, there are not a lot of second-hand machines around to buy.”

Raiders climbed over the fence around his breakers’ yard and poured petrol over the machine.

They also loaded tyres and wood into the back of a Ford Transit on the site and set both vehicles alight.

The alarm was raised a 9.18pm on Friday by a security guard. Firefighters could not prevent the scrap handler from being wrecked.

Mr Owen said he was offering “a very substantial reward” for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.

Sgt Dave Cartwright appealed for anyone with information to contact CID on 0300 123 4455.