Fire crews from across the Borders were stretched as the large barn blazes began within an hour of each other.

The first call to emergency services came from Purvishaugh Farm, near Earlston, at 18 minutes past midnight.

As firefighters from Lauder and Galashiels initially tackled the flames another blaze at a farm near St Boswells was reported.

Crews from Jedburgh and Selkirk attended at Longnewton Farm from 01.24am, where around 500 tonnes of hay as well as fertilizer was alight.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire Service said: “The barn near Earlston was fully loaded and further crews were requested to prevent the fire spreading to surrounding properties.

“Asbestos within the roof is causing additional problems.” Throughout the night additional crews from Peebles, West Linton, Galashiels and Duns were called out to the Earlston fire.

Firefighters from Innerleithen and Hawick were also called to the barn blaze at Longnewton with additional appliances from Dalkeith and Penicuik arriving around breakfast time.

The B6397 near Earlston, between A6105 and Mellerstain road end, has been closed for much of the morning.

And the B6400 between Bewlie and Longnewton remains closed at 9am.

Police Scotland say it is too soon to link the two fires but a full investigation will be carried out.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: "Police in the Borders attended two separate barn fires in St Boswell and Earlston in the early hours of this morning (Thursday).

"Enquiries are ongoing and police are working closely with their partners in the fire service.

"Anyone with information which can assist police with their enquiries is asked to call 101."