A MUM-of-two has told of the moment when her car burst into flames during the school run in York.

Vicki Pope, of Helperby, was taking her children to school on what she thought was another normal day when she came to a stop at a T-Junction before the A19 at Shipton-by-Beningbrough and smelt something unusual as she sat in her silver Mini Cooper.

She said: "I could smell diesel and thought it was just exhaust fumes from the car in front, then it got worse and someone pulled up alongside me and said my car was on fire.

"We got out and I got the children behind a hedge, then I stupidly went back to get my phone and my daughter's coursework, but we could see parts popping and exploding.

"I had Christmas presents for my husband in the boot, and gym kit and my son had his guitar in there but that's all been lost."

Mrs Pope, 43, was taking her 14-year-old daughter, Maddie, to Bootham School and her son, Archie, 11, to St Olave's School at 8.15 on December 5 when the fire broke out and destroyed the car, which was bought 12 months ago.

"It was a nightmare and caused a lot of disbelief," added Mrs Pope.

"It was like we were watching a film because it happened so quickly.

"My daughter was pretty upset because she could see the potential for it getting out of hand.

"I'm just glad they are safe because if they were smaller and in car seats I'm not sure I would have got them out.

"I lost my purse, driving licence and everything that makes buying presents the week before Christmas very hard because I can't access funds."

An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.