Selby firefighters today appealed to the public to be careful about throwing cigarette ends away during the hot, dry weather.

A fire crew from the Selby station was called out to a cornfield fire, in Crosshills Lane, Selby, which covered an area of 300 square metres.

A fire brigade spokesman said the fire could have been started by someone dropping a cigarette or match, perhaps while out walking their dog.

He said: "We managed to stop the fire spreading, but we would urge members of the public to be particularly vigilant during the current heatwave."

Updated: 12:35 Tuesday, July 15, 2003