ANIMALS were evacuated from a blazing barn at a farm in Barthomley.

Fire crews, including two from Crewe, tackled the fire which broke out in a large barn at the agricultural premises on Radway Green Road. A tall plume of smoke from burning hay bales could be seen for several miles across the area.

The barn was said to have contained around 50 tonnes of straw.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "Crews used a hose reel jet, two main jets and a water shuttle to bring the flames under control.

"The animals inside the barn have been moved to a safe place."

At the height of the blaze six fire engines were are at the scene, coming from Crewe, Sandbach, Middlewich, Alsager and Congleton.

Crews remained at the scene throughout the afternoon as the bales were allowed to burn out under supervision. They stayed on through the night and were there until early Saturday evening ensuring the fire was completely extinguished and there was no danger of reignition.