THIS week, 15 years ago, over 100 firefighters were called to tackle a moorland blaze that was heading towards the North Yorkshire coast.

Emergency services were at the scene in Fylingdales Moor creating firebreaks to stop the flames spreading further.

The fire covered four square miles, breaching the A171 and a disused railway line, and was being fought on four fronts, three of which were said to be a mile long.

Four houses were evacuated for safety reasons and a helicopter was standing by to help with firefighting operations.

Assistant Chief Officer Chris Anderson said: "I strongly recommend that people stay away from the area. As we have already seen, the fire can spread very rapidly and may catch the unwary off guard.”

Also that week, a student won National Young Designer of the Year for his device to help people badly injured on isolated hills.

David Lister, 18, from Yarm, spent his summer holidays creating a mechanical device which distributes weight from stretchers through harnesses around the bodies of stretcher-bearers – allowing a person to be carried smoothly over rough terrain.

At a ceremony he received the Mind to Market Award, one of two main awards, chosen from 26 finalists.

He said: "At the awards, I did not actually hear them announce my name, but everyone started looking at me and applauding and I thought 'that must be me then'.

"I got the idea when I was on the Duke of Edinburgh Awards tramping over fields. Basically, I got the idea because my rucksack hurt.”

Meanwhile, a gun dog breeder returned home from France with an armful of show trophies.

Roy Bebbington and his wire-haired vizsla, Zac, were the first British duo to enter an annual competition organised by the European Vizsla Club - and won a standing ovation from their rivals just for turning up.

The competition involved demanding tests including finding and retrieving game from vast sugar beet fields and even from a lake.

The duo, from North Yorkshire, placed fourth overall in a field of 21.

"I'm overjoyed with the result," said Mr Bebbington. "It was great to get an ovation just for being there. I'm really proud of Zac."