Pigs are shot after motorway fire

Police marksmen 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 for a time after the incident between Carville and Chester-le-Street in the early hours.

Durham Police said 16 animals were put down, three of which were shot by armed officers drafted in to assist vets.

The fire was sparked by a burst tyre on the three-tier vehicle.

Badly injured

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

The transporter was travelling on the southbound carriageway when the incident happened.

The road was closed in both directions for more than four hours. The northbound carriageway was reopened at 0730 GMT. Police reopened the southbound later in the morning.

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

Surviving animals were transferred to another vehicle.