FIRE crews from Pickering and Malton have spent nearly four hours battling a large barn fire.

The barn site, approximately 20 metres by 5 metres, is on Westgate Carr Road in Pickering.

Fire crews were called just before 4pm and as of 8pm a fire engine from Pickering was still on site, damping down remaining hotspots.

Crews pumped water from the nearby beck to battle the flames, using two jets to try to extinguish the fire.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said that the scene will be left open, meaning there may be a precautionary visit by crews tomorrow morning.