The southbound carriageway of the A23 has been closed following a fatal accident.

A cyclist was killed after a collision with a Ford Mondeo close to the Hickstead junction, near Burgess Hill.

Eye-witnesses said more than a dozen police vehicles and four fire appliances were attending the collision at 4.30pm.

Vehicles were being directed off the road and onto the A272 causing major traffic jams as the rush hour started.

The accident happened at 3.45pm.

The Highways Agency said delays of 40 minutes should be expected. The road was not due to return to normal use until after 10pm.