A MOORLAND fire burned for more than 12 hours between Captain Cook's Monument and Roseberry Topping, after a camp fire was left unattended.

The blaze at Gribdale Gate, in the North York Moors national park, was eventually brought under control by fire crews from North Yorkshire and Cleveland, but it damaged 1,000 square metres of moorland.

A North Yorkshire fire service spokesman said: "We were called to the fire just before 9pm on Tuesday. We soon realised we would need more assistance, so more fire crews were called.

"Firefighters from Stokesley, Guisborough, Northallerton, Helmsley and Coulby Newham worked together and formed a relay system to carry water to the site.

"By 11pm, it was getting dark and we decided that one crew would remain there overnight. Just before 4am on Wednesday morning, firefighting operations recommenced. Damping down continued all morning."

A specialist track vehicle was used and the last fire engine left the scene at noon.

The spokesman said the blaze had been caused by an unattended camp fire, but the identity or whereabouts of the campers was unknown. There were no injuries. He urged people to make sure fires and barbecues were properly out when they leave an area.

There is a large car park at Gribdale Gate and the area has always been popular with walkers, day trippers and some overnight campers.