A FIRE in Ombersley has resulted in thousands of pounds of damage and the loss of important equipment belonging to the village's amateur dramatic group.

The fire also engulfed nearby trees and damaged a house.

Arthur Turner, who is warden of the hall, off Sandys Road, as well as a member of the Ombersley Dramatic Society, said the fire, which happened last Thursday night (July 27), destroyed a large wooden shed which is next to the hall and was used by the dramatic group to store props and scenery.

He said the items did not have a monetary value but the loss was a huge set back in terms of the man hours spent making them.

The 68-year-old said: "We were fortunate that the other shed around the back storing irreplaceable costumes was saved.

"We are supposed to be putting on a production of Sleeping Beauty that I was going to direct." But now he says they face a race against time to get ready. Rehearsals are due to start in September with the performance in January.

"Whether we can manage to do that I don't know," he said. He added that the damage to the actual hall was limited to the small extension."Windows were broken as a result of the heat. There is smoke damage. It stinks to high heaven." The committee is to meet on Monday to decide what will happen about the production.

Jane Turner's home is behind the trees that caught fire. She said there was thousands of pounds of damage to the property's guttering, summer house, fencing and windows.

The 46-year-old was in the lounge when she saw a light coming from the back garden and went out to investigate.

She said: "There was quite a blaze covering one of the trees. It just spread so quickly. I was concerned that it was going to spread to the house."

She and her 13-year-old son, Daniel, immediately fled the property and waited for the fire brigade. The hall is used by a number of groups and organisations such as the mother and toddler groups, the Women's Institute, and gardening club. It is also used for private functions.

Fire crews from Worcester were originally called out to the incident at 9.50pm before two fire crews from Droitwich were also called. Forensic experts are trying to discover the cause of the fire.

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 08457 444888, quoting 856S/270706.