Firefighters have been battling a blaze at a farm in Beckwithshaw this evening.

A firefighter at the scene told the Stray Ferret a pile of hay caught fire next to a barn at Whin Hill Farm, opposite the West Harrogate Household Waste Recycling Centre on Pennypot Lane.

Smoke from the fire was visible across Harrogate and people on social media said they could smell burning as far away as Jennyfields.

The incident was brought under control quickly and no people or farm animals are believed to have been hurt.

The firefighter praised the farmer for getting his machinery out of the way quickly before the fire service arrived.

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