HUNDREDS of pigs had a lucky escape after a shed burned down the day they were due to move in.

West Heslerton farmer Derek Watson, former NFU county chairman, had cleared out the piggery, and heaters had been switched on to dry it out.

But hours before he started moving in 600 ten-week old piglets, firefighters were called out to tackle a fierce blaze.

Assistant divisional officer Daniel Westmoreland said ten firefighters spent almost three hours tackling the blaze. "We believe the cause was accidental, and was down to a faulty propane gas heater which was being used on the premises," he said. Mr Watson said it was a relief the animals had not yet been moved to the building.

"Fortunately the building in question is really in two rooms, and one half does not have too much damage to it.

"I don't know where we are going - it gives us a logistical problem about where we put the pigs."

Mr Watson said he might be able to house some of the animals - which need to be kept on the farm for another two months - in other sheds which were currently filled with straw.

Some of the pigs might also go to nearby farm buildings if neighbouring farms could accommodate them, he added.

On Christmas Eve between 80 to 100 sows died when the sheds they were in caught fire on a farm outside Helmsley.

Updated: 11:20 Saturday, January 11, 2003