CREWS are still in attendance at a barn blaze which has been alight for more than nine hours near Bishop Auckland.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service was called at about 2.30am on Sunday to the fire on land at a farm at High Wham, near Butterknowle.

The Northern Echo:

The fire at its height. Photo: Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue

The barn contained 150 tonnes of hay and straw - most of which has been destroyed.

Two vehicles, a Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta, were parked outside the building and have been gutted by the flames.

Four appliances initially attended. Two engines with a crew from Bishop Auckland and Darlington are still on the scene with a welfare vehicle.

Firefighters are allowing the remaining hay and straw to burn and are controlling the fire.

A property next to the unit has not been damaged.

No one was present in the home when the fire was reported.

Richie Brown, crew manager for Bishop Auckland Red Watch, said the cause of the fire was currently unknown.

He added it was likely crews would be on site until the evening.