A FIRE which killed a talented Hampshire fashion designer was sparked by a faulty TV, police revealed today.

Catherine Hickman was one of six people who died when the huge blaze swept through her tower block in London earlier this month.

The 31-year-old, who grew up near Romsey, travelled all over the world, working in Kuwait, New York and Iceland and setting up two fashion labels.

At the time of her death she was working in an exclusive boutique in the capital that counted Kylie Minogue, Paris Hilton and Claudia Schiffer amongst its clientele.

An inquiry launched after the fire at Lakanal House in Camberwell on July 3 found it had been caused by an electrical fault.

Police said a television which was at least ten years old caught fire after being left plugged in on the ninth floor.

As well as former West Wellow and St Anne's schoolgirl Catherine, who lived on the 11th floor, a mother and her two young children and a three-week-old baby all lost their lives in the tragedy.

The inquiry involved officers from the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and the Forensic Science Service.

Detective Inspector Rick Murphy said: "Initial results have found that the cause of the fire was an electrical fault originating in a portable TV set that was at least 10 years old.

"The make and model of the television set have not been confirmed so we will not speculate."

Mr Murphy said London Fire Brigade advises people to make sure all televisions are unplugged at the socket when not in use.

He added: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of those who died in the fire. The investigation continues into how the fire spread."

Yesterday, New Forest East MP Julian Lewis paid tribute to Catherine during a speech in Parliament.

"Her parents, Pip and Flo, are putting up with their terrible loss with amazing dignity, as is Mark, her partner of four years," he said.

"She was a talented young lady who, like her family, was and is a credit to our community."

o Catherine's funeral will take place at St Michael and All Angels, Lyndhurst, on Friday July 24, at 2.30pm.