A devastated couple have praised neighbours who desperately fought to put out a fire in their thatched cottage.

Villagers from Broughton Hackett, near Worcester, pulled out hosepipes to try to save the home of Janice and Barry Luxton but, despite their efforts, the couple have lost almost everything in the blaze.

Mrs Luxton said: “Some of the neighbours’ children were jumping on a trampoline and noticed the roof was alight.

“They raised the alarm, thank goodness. We were inside the house and had no idea. Barry just came shouting for me to dial 999 because the roof was alight.

“From then on it was just a nightmare. It was ferocious. It has been so dry.”

As reported yesterday the fire broke out at about 7.40pm on Sunday but because eight of Worcestershire’s fire crews were already at a severe fire at KinderKare nursery in Greenhill, off London Road, Worcester, the couple had to wait for fire engines from further afield.

A fire engine from Droitwich arrived within 16 minutes and within the next 10 minutes one came from Evesham and another from Bromsgrove.

Firefighters then called for more help from fire engines in Redditch and Warwickshire.

Mrs Luxton said: “It was just all hands on deck really. Neighbours were all trying to fight the fire before they arrived.

“They were using hoses, anything you could lay your hands on. We are so lucky to have wonderful neighbours.

“We want to give a big thank you to the villagers and also to the fire brigade and to the Red Cross.

“People were coming out from all over with food and drinks; neighbours just doing anything to help.

“We felt so special, like part of a huge family.

“We can’t say a big enough thank you.

“Nobody is hurt and that’s the main thing. Everything else is repairable.”

However, the couple, who were insured, think they will be unable to move back in for six to eight months and fear nearly everything inside is ruined. It is the second time in 15 years their Crowle Road cottage has caught fire. An investigation is under way into how the fire started.