A man who stabbed himself and set fire to a house is being treated in hospital.

Neighbours called for help at 1.10am on Sunday when a 26-year-old man barricaded himself in a home in Valley Road, Portslade.

He started several small fires in the property which is believed to belong to his parents who are away.

The man repeatedly threatened firefighters with kitchen knives as they tried to get in to dowse the flames.

He stabbed himself in the neck and stomach before being disarmed and arrested.

His injuries are said to be minor with a superficial cut on his neck and a nick on his liver.

Fire crews managed to put the fires out before they caused major damage and the house has been temporarily boarded up.

The man, who has not been named, was arrested and taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital for treatment.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "The fire officers were incredibly brave in handling this.

"They were trying to preserve life and being threatened throughout by an individual who was very aggressive."