Fire crews from nine different stations including Honiton put out a fire in the kitchen of The Headland Hotel in Torquay overnight on Christmas Eve (24 December).

Guests had to be evacuated and moved to alternative accommodation, with some brought down with ladders by the fire service.

The kitchen was completely destroyed by fire. The dining area and the rest of the hotel was damaged by smoke.

The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "This was a fire in the kitchen area of the hotel.

"By 12.51am hours it was confirmed that all persons had been accounted for.

"The cause of the fire is currently being investigated. All guests [were] moved to alternative accommodation.

"The kitchen was 100 per cent damaged by fire and the dining area 100 per cent smoke damaged. The remainder of the hotel was slightly smoke damaged."