THE A19 has been closed over safety concerns after a horse transporter burst into flames.

The incident happened at 8.40pm on Sunday on the southbound carriageway at South Kilvington, near Thirsk. 

A North Yorkshire fire service spokesman said the people and horse who had been in the vehicle were not injured in the fire.

As firefighters from Thirsk and Northallerton tackled the flames, the A19 was closed southbound, with a diversion through Northallerton.

The northbound carriageway was then closed from Knayton for safety reasons, due to gas cannisters from the vehicle fire.

Both the southbound and northbound carriageways are now fully open.

Two fire engines attended the blaze, and the horse transporter was completely destroyed.