POLICE are investigating what is thought to be a case of arson after a car caught fire in a layby near York.

Fire crews were called to the layby, on the A59 near Green Hammerton, at 1.26am this morning.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to douse the flames.

The burned-out remains of the car remained at the site this morning.

A passing motorist who contacted the police said: "Police are there now. It (the car) is  completely burned out!

"Traffic is passing by it okay, but I’d imagine they’ll have to block it off to recover it at some point. It’s on the verge."

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said the cause of the fire was believed to be deliberate. "The area was left with police to investigate further.”