A quick-thinking regular was the toast of his pub today after tackling a fire in an adjoining barn.

Phil Singleton was just about to go in to the Black Horse at Nuthurst, near Horsham, when he spotted the blaze.

The barn, believed to date back to the 18th Century, is used as a storage area.

Pub owner Clive Henwood said: "It seems one of the halogen lights outside had come loose and fallen.

"The lamp was resting against the wood of the barn and the heat from it started to burn the wood. It had just started to catch alight when Phil saw it.

"He rushed in and grabbed a fire extinguisher.

"We called the fire brigade but thankfully, because the fire was caught so early, there was no major damage."

Mr Singleton was given a pint on the house.

Mr Henwood said: "I am really grateful to Phil. He came along just at the right time.

"If he hadn't seen it the whole thing could have gone up in flames."

A fire brigade spokesman said crews from Horsham, Partridge Green and Henfield were called to the incident at about 8.10pm.

Sub officer Graham Lincoln said: "If he hadn't spotted the fire and taken such quick action it could have been severe.

"The whole building was wood and a mezzanine loft area would have made it burn more quickly.

"The fire was already out when we got there. We cut away the wood around the floodlight to make sure it didn't spread further."

The barn was used to store children's toys and blankets.