FIREFIGHTERS have been called to a Skipton bank after staff reported smelling smoke.

Two crews from the town's fire station were alerted just after 5pm today.

A West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service aerial appliance from Bradford was also mobilised, but was subsequently stood down.

Workers at the HSBC premises, in High Street, had evacuated the premises when firefighters arrived.

A thermal-image camera was used and the source of the smell was traced to a void between the ground floor and basement.

Skipton Fire Station watch manager, Martyn Hughes, said: "We believe that debris accumulated in a grate may have started smouldering due to a discarded cigarette end.

"We've cleared rubbish from the grate and used a hose reel on the affected area. We will be remaining at the scene until we're sure the situation is safe."