Up to 4,300 pigs have died in a suspected arson attack at a farm in Northern Ireland.

The intense blaze destroyed three sheds at premises in Bessbrook, Co Armagh, near the border with the Republic.

A Northern Ireland fire and rescue service spokesman said the fire was thought to have been started deliberately.

Firefighters were called to the Co Armagh site at around 5.40am on Saturday. It took crews seven hours to bring the situation under control.

Five fire appliances were called as well as water tankers and a hydraulic platform.

The fire service said: "Three sheds were totally destroyed in the blaze and unfortunately 800 sows and approximately 3,500 piglets died in the incident."