A HUGE fire ripped through an imposing 500-year-old Herefordshire home, destroying large parts of the Grade II listed Tudor building.

The blaze at Bleathwood Manor, near Tenbury Wells, began last Saturday evening and took 35 firefighters five hours to extinguish.

The back of the central part of the home was swamped by flames and completely destroyed, while thick smoke filled one of the manor's two wings, causing further damage.

The distraught owners have vowed to get on with the job of restoring their dream home to its former beauty.

Sarah Collings, who lives at Bleathwood with her husband Craig and their four children, said: "We are are all devastated. No-one was hurt or killed and we are putting things in perspective but it is so sad to see a such a beautiful home, which has stood for 500 years, this way.

"We are now just hoping the insurance company will come up trumps and that we can rebuild our home with all the love and sympathy it deserves."

The couple were returning from a shopping trip at around 5pm when they saw smoke coming from the chimneys.

Retained fire fighters from Tenbury Wells were soon on the scene before further help from Leominster, Kington, Ludlow and Hereford arrived.

Tenbury Wells leading fire fighter David James said crews took water from a pond within the manor grounds to fight the flames when their own supply ran out.

The Collings had been restoring Bleathwood Manor since they moved in two years ago.

Mrs Collins expressed her thanks to the community in Bleathwood for their generosity and support.

She said her husband Craig and their children were extremely grateful for the clothes and all the help they had received.

As part of their restoration project, Mrs Collings has appealed to anyone willing to donate spare antiques, old oak panelling or ironmongery to call the Hereford Times on 01432 845876.