500 tonnes of shredded recycling material caught fire at a recycling plant near Selby early today.

Firefighters from Selby were called to the plant at Great Heck at 1.30am and found the waste alight.

Another fire engine was sent from Snaith in Humberside for water and manpower and the fire was extinguished using two hose reel jets and a light portable pump, along with a site mechanical digger to turn over rubbish.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said the cause was believed to be spontaneous combustion.

"The crew from Selby will revisit the site later today to ensure all hotspots have been extinguished," added a spokeswoman.