A LARGE number of pigs have died in a barn fire near Sutton-on-the-Forest.

Fire services were called last night to the blaze in a 35m by 20m barn containing around 1400 young pigs.

Four fire engines - from Easingwold, Huntington, York and Acomb - and two water bowsers went to the scene at 10.38pm last night.

Early this morning, two engines and a water bowser were still at the site.

A fire spokesperson said that although a large number of pigs - around 1000 - were rescued, the remaining animals died in the fire.

No people were harmed, they added.

Fire services conducted a further check this morning but no cause for the fire has yet been established.