Double decker bus travelling between Harrogate and Leeds destroyed by fire

Passengers had to be evacuated from a bus which caught fire yesterday.

The Harrogate Bus Company's number 36 service was travelling between Harrogate and Leeds along the A61 when it caught fire near Harewood on Thursday afternoon.

Photos posted by police officers and firefighters who attended the scene show that the double-decker was completely destroyed by the huge blaze.

All passengers were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire has not been released.

The A61 was closed between Harrogate and Harewood for recovery but has now re-opened. There are temporary traffic lights at the scene as the road surface is still damaged.

The 36 route is served by a fleet of luxury buses with heated leather seats, USB ports, a library, and on-board information commentary by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration.