A man discovered his home on fire when he returned from an afternoon walk yesterday.

Firefighters believe a spark from his wood burning stove set alight the settee and carpet in the front room of Shirley Farm, in Hailey, west Oxfordshire, at about 2.30pm.

The fire was contained to the room but the rest of the house suffered extensive smoke damage.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging householders to take care with wood burning stoves and make sure homes have working smoke alarms.