AN appeal has been launched to help a farming family in rural County Durham who lost everything when their home was destroyed by a blaze yesterday.

Stuart and Susan Rigg, and their two young sons, escaped uninjured when fire tore through their farmhouse at Scargill, near Bowes.

However, the family was left with just the clothes they were wearing as dozens of firefighters tackled the blaze.

As news spread of the incident, an appeal to help was made by two Barnard Castle businesses – Picture This and Zara Countrywear – last night.

Eleanor Allison, of Picture This, and Donna Dobson, of Zara Countrywear, said donations for the Riggs were already waiting for them when they opened up for business this morning.

"The response has been phenomenal," said Mrs Allison.

Anyone wishing to donate goods to help the Riggs can do so at Pictures This, 34 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, or Zara Countrywear, 20 Market Place, Barnard Castle.