A YOUNG woman died in horrific circumstances yesterday after becoming trapped in a tractor's mechanism.

The accident happened just after 3.30pm on farmland behind the Langdon Beck Youth Hostel, in upper Teesdale, County Durham.

It is understood the 20-year-old woman, from the upper Teesdale area, died after being caught in the back of the tractor's mechanism which operated a circular saw.

The woman, who is believed to be the daughter of a farming family, died at the scene.

Five retained firefighters from Barnard Castle and six from Middleton-in-Teesdale were called to the area.

Barnard Castle Station Office Dave Hodgson said the accident had upset firefighters who had known the woman.

Mr Hodgson said: "We got a message that someone was trapped in machinery and that it was part of a tractor.

"Initially, we went up there to see if we could free her but when we got there it was too late. The ambulance was first on the scene but I don't believe they could have done anything.

"It is very sad thing just before Christmas. It's really upset some of the lads.

"I think most of the Middleton crew knew the girl and there's quite a few people in Barnard Castle who knew her as well."

The fire crews helped provide halogen lighting for police and paramedics at the scene as darkness grew.

A road ambulance had been dispatched from Middleton-in-Teesdale and the Great North Air Ambulance was scrambled, but both were stood down.

Police were last night informing the woman's relatives before releasing any further details. They confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.