A former mayor and mayoress were dressed up in all their finery for a royal garden party when they were caught up in a scene like something from the "Keystone Cops".

Councillor John Yarker and his wife Marie travelled to London to attend the Buckingham Palace event on behalf of the people of Barnard Castle, County Durham.

But after changing into their outfits in their fifth floor hotel room they heard a fire alarm, so they hurried down a staircase.

They could smell burning as they reached the ground floor and ran into the street.

Just then three fire engines raced up, but one did a U-turn and crashed into a tree, so that its blue lights and ladders crashed to the ground. Then a workman emerged to announce he had traced the fire and put it out before any serious damage was done.

Coun Yarker said: "It was just like a scene from the Keystone Cops. Even the firemen started laughing because it all seemed so comical."

Mr and Mrs Yarker, who were mayor and mayoress of Barnard Castle for a year until last month, stayed a night at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Kensington. They were waiting for a taxi to take them to the palace when the alarm sounded.

He was wearing a smart lounge suit, and Mrs Yarker was in a lime green two-piece suit and matching hat, all bought for the occasion. Coun Yarker said: "It was a wonderful garden party.

"The Queen walked within a few feet of us and gave us a lovely smile. Several officials spoke to us and said how much the Royal family like Barnard Castle and Teesdale.

"But the fire incident made the day even more exciting and memorable than we expected."