A FIRE has destroyed a £250,000 boat at a Hampshire marina.

Owner Sir Anthony Gill said the 42ft motor cruiser Turnaround was moored behind his home at Hythe Marina Village when the blaze broke out.

The retired businessman described the loss of the craft as "heartbreaking".

The fire, on Saturday night, is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault "I was at home when one of my neighbours rang up and said our boat was on fire," said Sir Anthony. "I tried to fight the flames with a hose but couldn't get anywhere.

"The boat's lights came on, possibly as a result of the electrical fault, and Calshot lifeboat turned up in case someone was on board and needed rescuing.

"It was a considerable fire and the firefighters caused a lot of damage getting to the source of the blaze.

"The boat looks awful inside and I imagine it's a write-off. It's heartbreaking."

Sir Anthony, a keen sailor, said Turnaround was an important part of his life.

He added: "We had spent a lot getting the vessel ready for the summer and were planning a West Country cruise."

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the accommodation area of the boat was severely damaged in the blaze, which was tackled by firefighters from Hythe and Hardley.

One marina resident said: "When I heard about the fire my first reaction was: "not again."

Last August four people had a lucky escape after a blaze broke out aboard a £15,000 cruiser moored in the centre of the marina.

Adrian White and his wife Kelly, of Horton Heath, and Adrian's parents, Sue and Graham White, scrambled off the burning boat but found themselves trapped at the end of a pontoon.

They dived into the water and swam to safety.

Dibden resident Martin Baish, who was enjoying a quiet drink in a nearby bar, grabbed a fire extinguisher and attempted to put the flames out.