VILLAGERS rushed to help as fire ripped through a farm barn and surrounding buildings.

Eight fire tenders tackled the blaze at Grange Farm, Spaunton, near Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire,where firefighters had to contend with difficulties getting water to the scene.

About 100 bales of silage wrap, eight bales of straw and a number of tyres were destroyed as the fire spread to nearby Hill Top Farm.

Owner Philip Trevelyan said every able-bodied villager came out to help tackle the blaze, and it was thanks to their efforts that a disaster was avoided.

The blaze, which began at about 5.15pm on Sunday, started in the barn.

Three hose reels were used to tackle the flames, which were still burning more than three hours later.