Hundreds of birds were killed in an arson attack on a Sheffield pigeon lofts on Saturday night.

Rabbits and chickens survived the blaze, on Penrith Road, Longley, but none of the pigeons - believed to be in excess of 200 - survived.

Firefighters were alerted to the incident at around 9.15pm on Saturday but the lofts were already well alight upon arrival at the incident. Two large coops, around 20 x 20 m, were fully involved in the fire, which is believed to have been started deliberately.

In a separate fire earlier on Saturday evening, three more pigeon lofts were destroyed on Infirmary Road, Shalesmoor, but no birds were found at the incident.