More than 100 turkeys escaped being roasted before their time in a farm blaze that caused around £250,000 damage.

The birds, destined for Christmas tables around the Forest, had to be moved to safety during the fire in Mitcheldean on Monday morning.

Their reprieve will be short lived, however, as the first batch will be off to the slaughterhouse tomorrow.

The blaze at Home Farm destroyed a barn, a combine harvester, a bale wrapping machine and a tractor which was bought new in August.

Four fire crews from Cinderford and Coleford were called to the scene at Bill Hurst's farm in Jubilee Road at 4.15am.

A water carrier also had to be sent down from Cheltenham East Fire Station.

Farmer Bill Hurst said: "The turkeys were in part of the same building as the farm equipment and hay that caught fire.

"Our neighbours all came and helped us get the turkeys to safety. We're very thankful for all their assistance."

Dave Pike, station commander, said: "It was quite tricky moving the turkeys, although they were sleepy and quite docile.

"The farmer knew how to control them and move them around."

Crews had the fire put out by 6.45am and remained on site for several hours removing hay from the barn and pumping out the water.

The barn, containing 50 tonnes of hay was severely damaged in the blaze, but fire crews managed to safely move nearby gas cylinders to a safe place.

The fire is thought to have been caused by an an electrical fault with one of the tractors.