A FARMER whose egg business was devastated when a fire ripped through a chicken shed, killing 13,000 birds, has spoken of his relief after relaunching his enterprise.

David Hugill, who is also a Hambleton District councillor, said builders had worked round the clock to complete a high-tech replacement building, following the removal of about 100 tonnes of debris left following the fire on his farm in Faceby, between Stokesley and Northallerton, in January last year.

Mr Hugill said it had only become apparent in the weeks that followed the fire what a tough task he faced in restarting the business, and he had feared he could lose customers at the markets he attends across the area.

He said by working with local producers and tirelessly to install a multi-tier, 80m-long barn egg shed, which features climbing frames, toys and a complex lighting system, the business was now set to become stronger than before the fire.

Mr Hugill, who also supplies eggs to a major supermarket, added: "The birds, which can fly from tier to tier, are a lot more content and are laying more eggs than previously."