A NORTH Yorkshire road was closed today after a hole appeared by its side.

The three-metre wide hole opened up on the A167 at Sandhutton, near Thirsk, at about 4.30am.

Police and council officers were attempting to stabilise a building near the hole.

A spokesman from North Yorkshire Police said diversions had been set up near to the Busby Stoop roundabout.

"A member of the public reported that the hole had appeared in the road in the early hours of the morning," he said.

"Excavation work is being carried out at a building called The Hollies near to where the hole appeared.

"It looks like while the work has been going on there has been some subsidence in that area. It is possible large HGV vehicles driving along the road may have contributed.

"After the subsidence, it was feared the building might collapse."

The spokesman added that building control officers from Hambleton District Council were on site to deal with the emergency.

"The council is currently surveying what remedial work needs to be carried out to repair the damage."

Drivers using the road are advised that diversions will be in place until the road is stabilised.

Updated: 11:34 Wednesday, September 04, 2002