A TATTOO parlour was gutted and two neighbouring businesses were damaged after a huge fire engulfed a row of shops in a North Yorkshire town.

The fire broke out at about 1.45am on Saturday just behind High Street, Northallerton.

The blaze was believed to have started at the tattoo parlour, which suffered 100 per cent fire damage, and spread to a lawnmower repair shop and an opticians, both of which suffered 50 per cent fire damage.

Eight fire crews – six from North Yorkshire and two from Darlington – battled the blaze for more than five hours before bringing it under control.

A fire investigation officer is now working to establish the cause of the fire.