A famous narrowboat adventurer whose boat travelled the oceans has been left heartbroken after the vessel was badly damaged in a fire at a Staffordshire boat yard.

Terry Darlington wrote two bestselling books after taking his narrowboat, Phyllis May, on adventures to the Mediterranean and to the USA and the Gulf of Mexico.

Now the author is struggling to come to terms with the damage to the £40,000 boat after a fire at the Canal Cruising Company yard on the Trent and Mersey Canal, off Crown Street, Stone, on Tuesday night. In total three boats were devastated in the fire with two sinking as a result of the damage.

Up to 25 firefighters tackled the blaze which is still being investigated by police and fire officers. Mr Darlington, aged 73, is the author of Narrow Dog to Carcasonne and Narrow Dog to Indian River, both based on his adventures with his wife Monica and their dog Jim. Mr Darlington, from Oulton Road, Stone, said: “It is quite ironic really, the boat has been half way round the world and survived storms, hurricanes and alligators only to burn down at its moorings while we were sat at home.”

Mr Darlington, who purchased the boat, named after his mother, 15 years ago, said he couldn’t believe what happened. He said: “ I am 73 years old and have had lots of adventure. I think maybe someone up there is trying to tell me something.”

Mrs Darlington said she felt “numb” after the fire adding: “I keep thinking of little things which make me shed a tear.”

The couple said the boat was insured but they added they were unsure if they would ever own the own boat again.