A GAS main caught fire after it was hit by a vehicle that had left the A64 near York.

Firefighters were last night making sure the flames from a low-pressure gas main, near an embankment at the side of the road, did not spread.

Police closed the east bound carriageway of the A64 between Tadcaster and Bilbrough following the accident, which led to a two-mile tailback of traffic.

No one was injured in the incident, which was reported to police at 8.25pm A police spokesman said the section of the A64 would remain closed until Transco, which carries out emergency gas repairs, had resolved the problem. He said the closure would probably last for a couple of hours, but was unable to confirm precisely how long it would be in place.

He was unable to give details about the extent of the fire, but said there would be no problem containing it.

The westbound carriageway of the A64 was unaffected by the incident.

Police were unable to provide any further information about the crash or the fire.