A COACH was destroyed by a blaze in a market town on Tuesday.

Firefighters were called to Gibside, Chester-le-Street, at about around 12.30pm on after reports of a vehicle being on fire.

No-one was on the bus at the time and there were no injuries.

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received a call from the driver of a single decker bus, saying his vehicle was on fire.

“Crews from Chester-le-Street and Durham stations attended the blaze. One jet and two hose reels were used, as well as two breathing apparatus worn, to extinguished the fire.

"The road was closed while emergency services cleared the scene and was reopened at about 2pm.

"It is believed the fire was caused by a fault in the engine compartment."

The fire caused transport disruption in the area, with buses having to take an alternative route.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "We received a call from the fire service at about 12.30 in relation to a single-decker coach on fire in Gibside, Chester-le-Street.

"There was a road closure at Whitehill Way. Durham County Council were asked to attend to clear a spillage on the road."