County Durham barn fire treated as 'suspicious'

The blaze destroyed about 700 tonnes of straw

A barn fire which destroyed 3,000 bales of straw in County Durham is being treated as arson, police have said.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at Lane Head farm, near Barnard Castle, during the early hours of Saturday.

Durham Police said six fire engines were needed to tackle the blaze which also damaged agricultural machinery stored in the barn.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which destroyed about 700 tonnes of straw.