FORTY young pigs died in a barn blaze despite a farm worker's valiant rescue bid.

Anthony Gornall, who works for his uncle Jim Gornall at Hollin Hall Farm, Blacko, braved smoke and flames to get two sows and about 25 piglets to safety. But four other sows and up to 40 piglets died.

The blaze destroyed an old stone-roofed barn alongside the Nelson-Gisburn road.

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