ARSONISTS are believed to have started a fire in a disused school in North Yorkshire.

Crews were called to the fire near Whitcliffe Lane, in Ripon, shortly before 6pm on Saturday.

A small amount of rubbish was set alight inside an old classroom, North Yorkshire fire service said.

It confirmed that the fire is believed to have been started deliberately.

The classroom was severely damaged, according to the fire service.

Crews were in attendance for about two-and-a-half hours.