A COUPLE whose house was destroyed by fire have applied to Darlington Borough Council for planning permission to rebuilt it.

Tony and Eunice Keeligan were devastated when the blaze ripped through their home in Merrybent, killing the family pets and destroying Christmas presents.

Their 12-year-old son Adam's guinea pig, cat, cockatiel and goldfish died in the fire before Christmas last year.

The roof, four bedrooms and the kitchen were all gutted and the family estimated it would be a year before they would be able to return to their home.