THE home of a Basingstoke fireman has been ransacked by vandals.

Full-time Basingstoke firefighter Paul Burton, who is also a retained firefighter in Grayshott, where he lives, believes the incident was motivated by the recent eight-day strike.

"My house was broken into but nothing was stolen - it was just ransacked," he said. "It was obviously just deliberate vandalism. I can't say it was definitely to do with the strike, but it seems a bit odd that they broke in and just smashed everything up."

Paul was called by a neighbour on Sunday at 6.55pm, telling him his maisonette first floor flat had been broken into.

On his return, he found the burglars had smashed the kitchen window to gain entry into the property.

Paul's microwave had been hurled across the kitchen and chairs swung around.

In the living room, the window was damaged and the intruders had attempted to kick the 32in television off its stand.

Paul, who was about to move out of his flat, is now staying at his girlfriend's home for his own safety until he can move into his new place.

Anyone with any information about the incident should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.