A pack of racing hounds burned to death when they were trapped inside kennels set alight in a suspected arson attack.

The dogs died during the fire at Old Lodge Farm, in Burtonwood, near Warrington, Cheshire, on Tuesday night.

About 40 firefighters were called to the blaze, which is thought to have started in an outbuilding before spreading to the kennels and a barn.

Firefighters managed to rescue some dogs from the kennels but about 15 are believed to have died.

"Unfortunately, a number of animals perished in the fire," a spokeswoman for Cheshire Fire Service said. "An investigation has been launched alongside the police into whether the fire was started deliberately."