ROMSEY firefighters helped crews from across Hampshire tackle a major fire at a thatched cottage in the Test Valley.

More than 70 firefighters worked to save the cottage at Longparish between Wherwell and Hurstbourne Priors near Andover on Wednesday afternoon.

They came from Andover, Romsey, Whitchurch, Winchester, Basingstoke, Redbridge, Eastleigh and Overton. The fire severely damaged the first floor of the cottage and its roof.

Crews used compressed foam and water to bring the blaze under control.Fire officer in charge of the incident, area manager Jason Avery, said: "Our firefighters have been working hard to extinguish the fire in this property. The crews have done a fantastic job in salvaging contents of the house whilst fighting the fire from outside. "I would also like to thank the local community for their support during this incident, who have helped to relocate the homeowners and the items which have been salvaged from the property."