A POSTMAN on his rounds in Welland has been credited with saving the village church from severe fire damage.

Chris Postans was delivering a catalogue to St James' Church just before 8am on Tuesday (April 30), when he noticed the doors on fire and alerted the emergency services.

The fire is believed to have been started deliberately and to have caused damaged of around £8,000.

"I only noticed it when I was face to face with the doors," said Mr Postans. "The one on the left was alight with flames at the top.

"There was no smoke, or what there was was going back into the church, and you couldn't smell it. The wind was keeping it alight."

The 25-year-old said that the church only receives post about once a week, so it was lucky that he had been there to make the discovery.

Rev Frances Wookey said that had it not been for Mr Postans the church could have been seriously damaged.

"It was very fortunate that he came and his quick thinking saved it," she said. "It could have been a lot worse. It's the one time we've been grateful for junk mail!"

No one else was scheduled to visit the church that morning and by the time flames had become visible from the road they could have gutted its interior. Firefighters from Upton answered the 999 call and put the out blaze.

Insurers have confirmed they will meet the costs of up to £8,000 for repairs to the double doors and the window above. The church will not have to close.

Ms Wookey said she felt "sadness" at what had happened.

"I don't really understand why somebody would want to do that at all, and especially not to a church," she said. "As far as I know, we haven't upset anybody."

Vicki Davies, of West Mercia police, confirmed that the incident is being treated as arson. She said it was believed the fire had been started the previous evening and smouldered through the night.

Anyone who can help police with their inquiries is asked to contact 01905 723888 quoting c/582061 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.