A FIRE in an outbuilding of The Bishops Table Hotel sent thick black smoke billowing over Farnham on Wednesday.

The column of smoke was seen as far away as Badshot Lea after a small outbuilding in the West Street hotel's grounds caught fire at around 3pm.

Two fire engines and police officers attended the scene, with firefighters trailing their hoses through the main 18th Century hotel building which didn't appear to be threatened by the blaze.

Pc Dave Woodrow was first on the scene after cycling from Gostrey Meadow and eye witnesses reported hearing explosions as the fire first took hold, although this was unconfirmed.