A LIFETIME’S worth of tools went up in flames when a carpenter’s garden workshop caught fire.

Rod Luckett, 66, of White House Cottage, Church Road, Eastchurch, lost hundreds of tools and various pieces of woodturning equipment in Monday's blaze which is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

He said: "I’ve lost everything including tools from when I was an apprentice at Sheppy Glue in Rushenden right up until I retired. Even aluminium ladders melted in the fierce heat."

His wife, Pauline, 64, said: "I was up at 4am because I couldn’t sleep and there was a power cut so I flicked the trip-switch back on and I reckon it must have started then.

"It was my neighbour Marion Arnott who spotted the workshop was well alight and called the brigade. The fire is really devastating for my husband because he really loved his shed.

"Fortunately the workshop and tools were insured but that is not really the point. The assessors are due round this week to put a value on the tools but to Rod they were priceless."

Mr Luckett was a carpenter for 50 years and one of the highlights of his career was helping to build Sir Paul McCartney’s house in East Sussex.