POLICE are investigating the cause of a large grass fire at a well-known beauty spot.

Firefighters spent several hours tackling the blaze on Eston Hills, near Middlesbrough, which was reported on Sunday at about 4pm.

Cleveland Police said a large area of the north side of the hills was ablaze.

They added that the incident was being treated as arson with a group of youth suspected of starting the fire.

A spokesman added: “This kind of criminal damage blights the outlook of the hills and ties up the fire service for hours at a time, not to mention the risk caused to fire officers and livestock nearby.”

The police helicopter was called to assess the scene and search for suspects.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.