HUNDREDS of piglets were saved by firefighters when a major blaze broke out at a North Yorkshire farm.

The fire in Aldwark, between Boroughbridge and Easingwold, was reported shortly before 9am on Saturday, August 1, and involved four large farm buildings.

Fire crews from Boroughbridge, Easingwold, York and Acomb stations rushed to the scene to tackle the flames.

The buildings contained around 500 piglets and the firefighters were able to rescue all but six of them from the sheds.

Three tractors, a forklift, a car trailer and a hedge trimmer tractor were also in the buildings and they were destroyed in the fire.

Three of the buildings were also totally destroyed while the fourth suffered around 60 per cent damage.

The crews used six sets of breathing apparatus and four hose reel jets to deal with the incident.

The cause of the fire is believed to be a fault on a JCB telescopic handler.