A man who blew up his hotel room in a failed suicide bid has escaped a jail term after admitting arson.

Paul Benns caused the explosion at his room at The Pines Hotel in Chippenham when he put a cigarette lighter to a canister of butane gas.

The force and heat from the blast were so severe plastic fittings in his room, as well as the emergency exit light in the corridor over his door, melted.

Benns suffered 40 per cent burns and was hospitalised for two months following the incident just days after Bonfire Night.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon crown court the hotel on Marshfield Road was not a tourist establishment but used extensively by social services to place otherwise homeless people.

"On the night in question, November 7 last year, there were about six or seven residents plus the owner on the premises.

"It was known to a number of residents that Mr Benns had a habit of sniffing lighter gas. At about 9.40pm a loud bang, which transpired to be an explosion, occurred.

"Some residents heard screaming and Mr Benns was found outside his room his clothing was burnt off him, he was in considerable distress, burnt, blistered and obviously in considerable pain.

"At the time, and continually after, he indicated that his principle intention had been to try and kill himself, not harm others.

"The fire and ambulance services were quickly on the scene and Benns was removed by paramedics. He indicated to them that his intention had been to kill himself. They took him to hospital and he was continually apologising for what he had done."

When Benns was questioned by police in January following treatment in hospital for his injuries he told them he had been trying to kill himself.

"He acknowledged he had been abusing butane gas for some time and in summary said life had reached such a sorry pitch for him that all he wanted to do was take his own life." Mr Meeke said

At an earlier hearing Benns, who had one previous conviction from three years ago for indecent exposure, admitted arson with intent to endanger life or being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Kate Brunner, defending, said that there was a bed available for her client at Stonham House on The Halve, Trowbridge, where he could be treated in the community.

She submitted a psychiatric report and two pre-sentence reports to the court and said that there was a psychiatrist prepared to take on the care of Benns.

After reading that Benns still presented a high risk to the public Judge Mark Dyer put him on a three year probation order.