A ROLLS ROYCE and Lotus were completely destroyed when a fire ripped through a Hampshire garage this morning.

The two cars were in a domestic garage in Ringwood when the blaze started at 10am.

Firefighters were quick to get to the scene in The Close and stopped the flames reaching the house but the cars were swallowed by a mass of flames.

Watch manager Kevin Morrison, the senior officer at Ringwood, said that there were huge flames coming from the garage when the two fire crews arrived. "My firefighters worked extremely hard to stop the flames from spreading and thankfully there was only smoke damage to the house."

The Ringwood crew had to wear breathing apparatus while they controlled the blaze with help from Burley Fire Station and police who closed the road joining Mansfield Road and diverted drivers through the town centre.

The retired couple who owned the cars and garage, Peter and Barabara Coles were not hurt during the fire and Mr Coles was very grateful for the firefighters quick work.

He said: "They were here very quickly and were magnificent"

Mr Coles' son added: “I was at work when I got a call to say there was a fire. Thankfully everyone was fine and the only real damage was to the garage and cars that can be replaced."