SCORES of pigs were rescued after fire swept through a barn near Northallerton.

The blaze in the barn near Yafforth, Northallerton is thought to have been started by a spark from a grinder. It began in a workshop and spread to the rest of the 200 foot long barn, the farmer managed to get the pigs out using three fire extinguishers before it spread and no animals were injured.

Fire crews from Northallerton, Thirsk and Bedale attended. The fire caused 100 per cent damage to the barn and three storage containers. Crews used three main jets, three hose reel jets a water bowser and breathing apparatus.

Fire crews from Bedale and Ripon were later called to another barn fire at Burneston. The open sided building measuring 50ft by 100ft contained between 120 and 150 bales, the famer managed to get nearly half the bales out of the building with the help of fire crews who worked to dampen down the building. It's thought it started through spontaneous combustion.

On Monday evening fire crews from Northallerton and Bedale were involved in helping to rescue a lorry driver who had become trapped between two forklift forks after he slipped and became trapped when getting out of his lorry. They assisted paramedics and the man was taken to the Friarage hospital for treatment.