FIRE has destroyed about 1,000 tonnes of baled hay in a field near York.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said the hay stack at Moor Lane, Skelton, caught fire yesterday evening.

Crews from Acomb stood by and allowed the stack to burn down before leaving the scene at 3pm, and firefighters planned to re-visit the scene this morning.

A spokeswoman said the cause of the blaze was not yet known.