Dales moorland destroyed by blaze

The flames swept across the moorland above Grassington in North Yorkshire after high winds fanned controlled burning which was being carried out.

Three crews from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene of the blaze shortly after 2.30pm on Saturday.

The firefighters from Grassington, Summerbridge and Skipton were also joined by a crew from Ilkley across the border with West Yorkshire and used beaters to bring the flames under control.

A spokeswoman for the North Yorkshire brigade confirmed yesterday that the landowner had called in the crews after becoming concerned that the controlled burning was being fanned by the high winds.