A dozen north Cumbrian fire-fighters were called out to a blaze which engulfed a large pile of tyres near Longtown last night.

Three fire crews – from Carlisle east and west stations, and Longtown, were were called out to the fire at 12.30am.

It involved in tackling the blaze, which broke out in a pile of old tyres which was 15ft high, and near to a barn on the road to Easton, north east of Longtown.

They used compressed air foam to smother the fire.

A spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service in Carlisle said that the cause of the blaze is currently under investigation.

The fire crews spent two hours at the scene, their quick actions preventing the fire from spreading to the barn.