CHRISTMAS in Hatherleigh was overshadowed by the shock destruction of one of its historic landmarks.

But residents hope the much-loved George Hotel can be rebuilt after a devastating fire gutted the historic building.

Around 100 firefighters attended the blaze in the early hours of Christmas Eve and shocked residents over the festive period.

Mayor of Hatherleigh Deborah Laing-Trengrove said: 'I was wrapping presents in my front room when I saw the flashing lights of the fire brigade and then the flames.

'I was there from 10pm until 1.30am. It is a complete tragedy, everyone is absolutely devastated.'

The 15th century grade II star listed building was one of the first places Mrs Laing-Trengrove worked after leaving school.

'To see a building that holds so many memories for so many people, burn down before your eyes was soul-destroying.'

Mrs Laing-Trengrove said her grandmother used to enjoy a gin and tonic or two in the inn: 'The George was a huge chunk of people's lives and I feel some sort of memorial service would be appropriate because it was such a well known and loved place.'

An annual carol concert was held in Hatherleigh on Christmas Day. Mrs Laing-Trengrove said the atmosphere at the service was quiet.

'Everyone seems to be in shock over what happened. It was a very quiet service and people's thoughts were on the hotel.'

The fire, which started just before 9pm, completely destroyed the pub, leaving onlookers helpless as the flames took hold.

Former fireman and Hatherleigh councillor Dennis Bater said: 'I hope the pub will be rebuilt. This is a huge loss to the town and tears have been shed.

'The fire has affected people from all over the world who have connections with Hatherleigh. I have received emails from Australia, Holland and America, all expressing sorrow and I am expecting more from New Zealand and Russia.'

Cllr James McInnes said it was sad to see the devastation: 'The fire reduced this ancient and much-loved hotel to a pile of cob and stone and I very much hope it will rise from the ashes and once again be at the heart of the community.

'The George is where everyone meets as it's a landmark building. My own christening party was held there many years ago when I was just a year old.

'The George holds so many fond memories for residents of Hatherleigh and the wider area.'

Cllr McInnes has known the hotel all his life — his parents came to Devon in 1950 and stayed at the George while looking for a farm: 'We have had many family celebrations there over the years and we were in there only hours before the blaze — what a relief that no-one was hurt.'

Co-editor of Hatherleigh Net Geoff Hodgkinson said: 'The fire was the most devastating thing that I have ever had to watch. I was there until 2.30am, I just could not believe my eyes.

'I think the thing which was the most surreal was the next day. The diggers took everything away and within 24 hours it had all disappeared.

'This great, reassuring building that was the heart of Hatherleigh, was no longer there.

Mr Hodgkinson said he hoped the building would be rebuilt.

'We're told that the cob walls of the George have survived so rebuilding seems possible, but there's nothing left inside. Beams that were hundreds of years old have been completely destroyed.'

West Devon Borough Council's building control officers were at the scene. Head of building control Roger Collins said: 'We are trying to preserve as much of the building as possible, but safety is our prime concern.'

Mr Hodgkinson stated the landlord of the George had plenty of offers of a bed for the night and his partner was pleased that a chair, given to her by her father, was one of the first things firefighters saved.

Incident commander and Hatherleigh watch manager Kevin Drew said it was the biggest fire he had seen in Hatherleigh in his 25 years in the brigade.

He praised the firefighters involved and local people who helped: 'Everybody worked really hard and up to 100 members of the public helped salvage items from adjacent properties. There was a real community spirit that I do not think you would find anywhere else.'