AN 11-hour blaze on a farm destroyed more than 400 hay bales and agricultural equipment yesterday.

Firefighters from Peterlee and Wheatley Hill were called to the fire in a barn off Park Road, Trimdon Colliery, just after 3am. Crews took more than five hours to contain it.

Firefighters then spent a further six hours damping down the blaze before it was completely extinguished.

A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade spokesman said: "The barn had more than 400 bales of hay in it, as well as various bits of agricultural equipment and tools, and it was well alight by about 3.30am.

"Water pressure had to be increased at the height of the fire, but once it was contained it was decided it should be left to burn itself out."