A shed in a Watford garden, containing priceless sentimental videos and furniture, was burned to the ground by an arsonist on Saturday morning.

Owner William Howard said the 10 by 12 foot wooden shed had been filled up, after he and his wife Doreen downsized from a five bedroom house in Garston, to a terrace house in Water Lane seven years ago.

The 72-year-old said: “At about 3am I was in bed with the wife, and my dog suddenly went mad.

“I thought it was because my grandson was trying to get in. I went downstairs to open the door for him and when I looked out it was just orange everywhere.

“It's all gone, the tapes of the grand kids in Florida, my photos, an old chest of drawers I was renovating, and a bureau my mum and dad gave me when I was 21. Gone.”

One of Mr Howard's neighbours spotted someone in the garden and called the police and fire brigade.

Mr Howard added: “Ali, a young lad who lives up the road chased him away and raised the alarm.

“I've got another brick shed and after that the house would have gone up - I'm so pleased he was there otherwise that would have been it.”

A 27-year-old man from Hemel Hempstead has been arrested in connection with the arson.