An Army flare is believed to have caused a fire on moorland owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Around 40 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze on Hudswell Moor, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Thursday night.

Firefighters said around three hectares of moorland were damaged.

Soldiers used beaters to help crews tackle the blaze.

Gordon Shipley, from Richmond fire station, said: "The gorse and bracken is very dry at the moment.

"The fire was edging towards woodland."

Soldiers from nearby Catterick Garrison were on exercise on the moor at the time.

An Army spokesman said the fire was believed to have been caused by a flare.

Firefighters from Richmond, Bedale, Colburn, Darlington, Leyburn, Reeth and Richmond were called to the incident.