A couple from the Bradford district have spoken of their “hell” after fleeing for their lives as fire destroyed their dream home in Spain’s Costa del Sol.

Roger and Nancy Holdsworth, who are from the Keighley area, were helpless as the wildfire engulfed their £300,000 villa in La Mairena.

They were among hundreds of British expats and tourists who had to run for safety as wildfires tore through forests near Marbella and Malaga.

Mr Holdsworth, 58, said they were devastated to lose their villa, but they were thankful to have escaped.

“It went from paradise to hell in just ten minutes,” he said. “The speed with which the fire took hold was frightening.

“There were flames and smoke billowing from the roof and the heat was spectacular. I was left coughing and spluttering from the smoke, but we are happy to have got out alive.

“But the impact emotionally, practically and financially is going to be terrible.”

Friends and colleagues of the couple said this week they were shocked at news of what had happened.

Mother-of-three Nancy, a 66-year-old former teacher, is a former Keighley town councillor and served as mayor in 2003-04. She is also a member of the town’s Rotary club.

The fires began on Thursday night and raged for more than two days, fanned by strong winds.

More than 400 firefighters tackled the inferno, aided by helicopters and planes.

Residents and tourists were ushered into temporary shelters in sports halls, churches and other public buildings, away from the worst-hit areas. The Foreign Office deployed consular staff to visit the evacuation centres on Friday to help British residents and travellers.

The staff were working closely with the Spanish authorities who were handling the evacuation centres and communications with local residents as the fires burned in the forests around Barranco Blanco, between Mijas Costa and Coin in the Malaga area of the Costa del Sol.

They brought the main residential areas under control and many residents had been able to return home.

The fire is thought to have originated in the hills near Coin and is thought to have been started deliberately.