Former Devizes pastor David Hamilton and his wife Pam say they could do with some Devizes rainfall after their home in southern Spain was threatened by wildfires.

Although the couple, who used to run the Devizes Christian Fellowship at the Salem Chapel in New Park Street, escaped the worst of the flames at Mojacar, in Andalucia, some of their neighbours were not so lucky.

Mr Hamilton said: “Houses have already been destroyed through a series of fires. The services have been hampered by strong Sirocco winds in temperatures of 45 plus degrees.

“Many were evacuated from their homes with some returning to find their houses destroyed by fire.

“The relative paradise of Mojacar in places now resembles a war zone. Three thousand people were evacuated and many spent the night on the beach.

“It is still very hot and fires are still breaking out. Maybe a little of the rain you have in Devizes would help.”

The Hamiltons left Devizes in 2004 to work as missionaries in southern Spain.