DOZENS of neighbours rallied round yesterday to help a farming family who lost all their possessions in a fire that destroyed their remote home.

Robert and Wendy Scott, both 38, were left with only the clothes they stood up in after the blaze gutted their house at Newbiggin, in Upper Teesdale, County Durham, at the weekend.

Their daughters Laura, 16, and Amy, 12, both pupils at Teesdale School in Barnard Castle, also lost all their clothing, music CDs and schoolbooks, including all Laura's sixth form coursework for her A-levels.

Two cows and a horse were led to safety from a building near the house on Field Head Farm, but their terrier puppy, Patch, was killed. Their other cattle and sheep were out of danger, some distance away.

As Mrs Scott looked at the blackened shell of the house yesterday, she said: "We have lost every single thing that was inside - furniture, china, bedding, clothes and all our personal papers and photographs which can't be replaced.

"But we are thankful to neighbours who have come from miles around to bring us spare clothing, food and other bits and pieces. They have been wonderful. Their kindness will help us get over the terrible shock we have suffered.

"Clothing was our biggest need, and they have brought bags of it, giving us all some that fits. They have also offered blankets and sheets, which we may need soon."

Mrs Scott discovered the blaze when she arrived home with her daughters in the early hours of Saturday after visiting friends. She called her husband, who was with friends after a darts match.

Firemen from Middleton, Barnard Castle and Stanhope arrived but could not save the house and the roof caved in. It is thought either a spark or an electrical fault may have started the fire.

The family moved in with Mr Scott's mother, widowed Doreen Scott, a mile away in Newbiggin.

They hope to get a large caravan to park on the farm while the house is either repaired or demolished and rebuilt.

Mrs Scott said: "We have to live here to look after the cattle as well as the sheep, which will start lambing in the spring."

The couple have been tenants of the farm, owned by Raby Estates, for 16 years. But it has been in the hands of the Scott family for more than 100 years, along with the neighbouring Summary Hill farm, which is run by Mr Scott's brother Maurice.