FIREFIGHTERS today saved a medieval Hampshire church from destruction by fire.

Dozens of firefighters fought the flames tearing through St Andrew's at Timsbury near Romsey this morning.

The blaze ripped into the roof and bell tower but swift action saved around half of the roof of the Norman church in Manor Road.

The alarm was raised at about 7.30am and crews with six pumps took an hour to quell the flames.

The cause of the blaze was unclear and will be investigated.

Borough commander Dan Tasker, of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The damage is quite extensive. The fire started at one end and spread into the roof. Unfortunately around half has been destroyed.

“It was a well-developed fire when the first crews arrived. Flames were clearly visible through the roof. But crews worked incredibly hard to stop it spreading.”

Nobody was injured.

The church reopened after a refurbishment in 2007 following the collapse of a section of the ceiling.