NINE horses were led to safety after a fierce blaze ripped through a barn near Eastleigh last night.

Sixty tons of hay and straw were engulfed in the flames as the blaze swept through the 30 metre by 20 metre barn in Highbridge Road, Highbridge.

The fire broke out at about 4.31 pm yesterday and Eastleigh and Winchester fire crews were called to the scene. They were there all night and today were still keeping a watching brief.