MORE than 1,000 animals have died after a fire at a pet breeding centre.

Emergency services were called to a blaze at the animal breeding centre in Lewdown, Okehampton, Devon, at 1.45am today.

The centre is used for breeding domestic pets, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

A force spokesman said that more than 1,000 animals, mostly guinea pigs, had died in the fire, which destroyed four sheds.

An investigation has been launched. Arson has not been ruled out.