A DIGGER smashed into Market Hall in Chipping Campden whilst the town's Christmas tree was being put up.

The High Street was blocked on Sunday with diversions in place, after the digger knocked into the building.

A post on Facebook page Destination Chipping Campden read: "High Street of Chipping Campden is currently blocked with diversions in place.

"Whilst the Christmas Tree was being erected a JCB knocked the market hall and has caused considerable damage, local fire crew are in the process of stabilising the building."

A piece of roof on the 400-year-old hall was damaged, although no-one was hurt.

A Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "GFRS were called out on 12:23pm Sunday to an address in Chipping Campden after a JCB struck a building causing masonry to fall.

"One appliance attended to put a cordon in place and make the area safe.

"The scene was handed over to the police."

A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said: "We were called by the fire service at about 12.20pm on Sunday after a JCB collided with a building in Chipping Campden.

"There was debris on the ground and concern that this might cause a collision.

"Officers cordoned off the building for the owners to assess later. No further police involvement."

A National Trust spokesman said: "We are aware of an accident which resulted in damage to the Market Hall in Chipping Campden.

"We are meeting with structural engineers and our insurers on site to assess the damage."