Firefighters spent three hours battling a roof fire after lightning struck the weather vane on semi-detached loft conversion in Marlow Road, Bourne End last night from 9pm.

One appliance and crew from Beaconsfield, two from High Wycombe, one from Maidenhead and an officer attended.

Firefighters used two hose reels, two sets of breathing apparatus, a turntable ladder and a 13.5-metre ladder.

It is believed the house was seriously damaged.