Pigs are shot after motorway fire

Police marksmen have had to shoot a number of badly injured pigs after an animal transporter caught fire on a stretch of motorway in County Durham.

Both carriageways of the A1(M) were closed after the incident between Carville and Chester-le-Street in the early hours.

Some of the 200 animals died in the fire, caused after the vehicle burst a number of tyres, but many escaped.

Motorists were warned of major problems on the busy commuter route.

Insp Peter Foster, of Durham Police, said armed officers were shooting any animals which were too badly injured to be saved.