A worker carrying out renovations to a church tower accidentally started a fire with his blowtorch.

He was carrying out lead-flashing work on the spire of St Wilfrid's Church in Haywards Heath when heat from the torch set fire to wooden beams below.

A team of 25 firefighters from Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Keymer and Horsham quickly brought the blaze under control as police closed off the road to traffic from 11am yesterday.

The 19th Century church, which is in the final stages of being renovated, escaped serious damage.

Firefighters were able to reach the flames using the scaffolding, which has been in place around the church for several months.

Fire crews also used a thermal imaging camera to check no one was trapped inside.

Sub Officer Andy Morley, of Haywards Heath fire station, said: "The height did cause us some problems.

"We will be going back later to re-inspect the building but that is standard."

The Reverend Ray Smith, vicar of St Wilfrid's, said: "The fire broke out right at the pinnacle.

"We were very lucky because, if it had been further down, it could have burnt everything.

"The renovations are nearly finished and the fire was only in the top.

"The rest of the work has been completed and I don't think there was any water damage."

Builders have been working for several months to fix the clock, repoint the balustrade and refurbish the 88ft tower.