The father of a man who lost his home in the fire at The Bell pub in Thorpe has praised villagers for their "tremendous" support.

Steve Green's Church Cottage was burnt down by the fire at The Bell Hotel last week.

His father Jimmy Green, of Dorset, said he wanted to thank all those who had helped and supported the victims.

Mr Green said his son was fortunate that the residents of the Mill House were able to take them in.

Mr Green senior also praised staff at the nearby Crown pub for caring for helpers and victims and also Steve's employers Hart Wilcox for being "tremendously supportive and understanding".

Mr Green added: "In this day and age the demise of village life as we like to recall or imagine it, it is deeply heartening to encounter a village with such community spirit and values so much in evidence. Thorpe has much to be proud of.

"I would like to hope that the recent publicity surrounding this fire has been a timely reminder to all of us to invest in smoke detectors, to maintain them carefully and above all, not to ignore them should they ever go off.

Following the fire some buildings in the immediate area were declared potentially unsafe.

For public safety Essex County Council has decided to cone off half the road and brought in traffic lights as a temporary measure and made a diversion.

A spokesman said: "Motorists should expect severe delays in the area, and are advised to take alternative routes, especially if travelling to or from Colchester, Frinton or Walton."

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