RESIDENTS evacuated from houses close to Swinley Forest have been allowed to return home.

Thirteen properties along Brookers Row in Crowthorne were evacuated after fires broke out on Monday, but crews have since scaled down their operation.

Kelly Hutchinson had to leave his home with his two children, Linden, 5, and Oren, 3. He said: "We got a phone call last night saying we could return, but we didn't go back until this morning after we had packed everything up.

"I feel elated to be back home - I was originally staying with friends in Crowthorne but then joined my wife and children at my mother-in-law's house in Farnham when I realised it could be some time before we would be allowed back." Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Nicole Targett said: "We now have just 18 crews stationed in the forest and the fire is under control, with no flare-ups over the weekend.

"The rainfall helped to dampen the flames and we have made fantastic progress." But she advised people to continue to stay away from the area for the next few days while crews are still based in the forest.