Firefighters had to call for specialist back-up to tackle a blaze in a disused farm shed because the building was made with asbestos.

Appliances from Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle were called to a chicken farm, in Bleak Terrace, Cockfield, on Saturday at 10am, when smoke was reported rising from the site.

A special incident unit and appliance from Durham were called to the scene to ensure the area was safe despite the presence of disturbed asbestos.

It took crews an hour to extinguish the fire using two hose reels and breathing apparatus.

The building, a 20m by 10m disused outbuilding was severely damaged in the blaze.