FAMILIES were last night forced to flee their homes after fire broke out in a church clock tower in Ebbw Vale.

Fears for the stability of the 175ft tower at Christchurch meant people living nearby were told to leave their homes and go to the town's leisure centre.

Roads were still cordoned off in a 300ft radius around the church this morning.

Firefighters were alerted at 10.30pm yesterday and did not leave the scene until the early hours of this morning.

Inspector Simon Powell-Jones, of Gwent Police, said officers assisted traffic control and helped families leave their homes.

"A large number of homes were evacuated because of concern for the stability of the structure," he said.

Thirty-four people were evacuated from three streets around the church. Blaenau Gwent council arranged for them to stay in the leisure centre, and the local Tesco store provided food.

One resident, Gary Williams, said police woke him at 3am to tell him to leave his house.

Mr Williams, 30, said: "I woke my partner up and we had to leave. The street was alive with people.

"Everyone was annoyed at being evacuated and we were anxious to go home."

Mr Williams said he was told some families may not be allowed home for three days but Blaenau Gwent council officials told the Argus this morning that would not be known until the structural damage was assessed.

Renovation work is being carried out at the church at the moment and the tower is surrounded by scaffolding.

The fire - which appears to have started in the tower - is not being treated as suspicious.

Inspector Powell-Jones said roads were closed this morning which was likely to cause some disruption in the town.

Christchurch is the church of Reverend Geoff Waggett, rector of Ebbw Vale. He spent the night in Ebbw Vale leisure centre with the evacuees. His wife Jen said this morning that he was upset about the fire at the church where a £250,000 renovation project was being carried out. "Everything that is not damaged by the fire has been damaged by the water," said Mrs Waggett.

Historic monuments body Cadw has been involved in the restoration work at the church which is more than 100 years old.

Ebbw Vale councillor and executive member for education, Brian Scully, said: "This is awful news because Christchurch - particularly the spire - is one of the most important features in the town.

"I only hope that structural engineers don't find that the damage is that bad and the people evacuated from their homes can return as soon as possible."