Over 4,000 pigs have been killed in an apparent arson attack on a farm near Newry at the weekend, according to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

Police believe the "intense" blaze was the result of an arson attack but nobody has been arrested. However, the farm manager told UTV that those working on the farm do not believe the fire was arson and that it may have been due to an electrical fault. He added that they believe the numbers of animals quoted may be an over-estimate and the exact loss is still being tallied.

The flames destroyed three sheds in Bessbrook, County Armagh, which is near the border with the Republic.

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Fire And Rescue Service (NIFRS) said: "The fire is thought to have been started deliberately."

Emergency crews were called to the farm shortly before 6am on Saturday.

They said it took around seven hours to control the fire using water tankers and a hydraulic platform.

The NIFRS spokesman added: "Three sheds were totally destroyed in the blaze and unfortunately 800 sows and approximately 3,500 piglets died in the incident."

Stormont Assembly Member Danny Kennedy, who lives nearby, said: "This is a very distressing incident, not only for the loss of this number of animals but also the impact on this local business."