NORTH Yorkshire Police have spoken to potential witnesses to the fracas which cost Jeremy Clarkson his job at the BBC, saying they "have a duty to investigate" what happened.

Clarkson's Top Gear contract has not been renewed by the BBC after an internal investigation found he attacked show producer Oisin Tymon after an angry - and lengthy tirade - in Simonstone Hall Hotel, near Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales.

In a statement, the force said they had been contacted by "concerned members of the public" asking what action they were taking.

They said: "No-one who was present at the hotel during the incident came forward to report an offence to the police. Nonetheless, we have a duty to investigate where we believe an offence might have been committed, and that is what we have been doing with this case.

"We have already spoken to some people who were in the hotel at the time, but there are still others we need to speak to, who could help us to determine exactly what happened.

"Also, as is usual in these circumstances, we have made contact with Mr Tymon through his lawyers, to ask him to speak to us so we can ascertain how he wishes to pursue this matter.

"When these routine inquiries are completed, we will be able to assess whether or not further action needs to be taken from a police perspective.

"Meanwhile, we'd like to reassure the public that the matter is in hand, and we dealing with it responsibly and proportionately."