A FARM in Hucclecote was cordoned off by emergency services after a barn blaze sparked fears of a gas leak.

Neighbours had to be kept in their homes and cattle were moved to safety as a 200m exclusion was put in place around The Noake Farm in Stump Lane on Thursday night.

Police officers closed off the area near Churchdown Lane as fire crews tried to stop dangerous gas cylinders exploding around the barn.

The fire was under control by the early hours of Friday, but fire crews could be at the scene for some time while the area is made safe.

Station manager, Graham Parker, said: "We received a call about 11.15pm. When we got here the barn was well alight and on arrival it was ascertained there were cylinders involved so for safety of people nearby and the crew a 200m exclusion zone was put in place and cordoned off.

"There were a number of animals around the area and these cattle were also evacuated to a safe distance away. And people living around the area were told to stay in doors away from the fire."

The 20m x 50m barn had acetylene cylinders and propane cylinders around the edge which could have exploded at any time.

The owner of the farm was too upset to speak about the fire.

The blaze is being treated as arson.