Vicar filled with religious fire

Fire and brimstone: The Reverend Colin Davis

A vicar is stoking the religious zeal of his congregation - by dazzling them with fire-eating displays.

The Reverend Colin Davis gobbles down blazing brands at special services at his churches in Devon.

A former banker who joined the Church of England five years ago, Mr Davis, 39, learned the art while studying in Nottingham.

And he insists the trick is used to demonstrate the Bible's message and not simply as a party trick.

It is something to hang their attention on The Reverend Colin Davis

Mr Davis has been using his fire-eating skills at churches in Chittlehampton, Umberleigh and Filleigh.

One impressed parishioner, 67-year-old Shirley Wood, said: "It was amazing."

Mr Davis, who lives at Chittlehampton, said: "I thought it would be a good way to illustrate faith in God.

"It is a great visual aid - people can remember more of what they see than what they hear, so it is something to hang their attention on."