Hero neighbours rescued four people from their home after a major fire this morning.

A faulty light fitting in the roof of the house in Beaumont Road, Broadwater, caused the major blaze just before 8am.

The family of two adults and two children inside the house were unaware of the fire and it took neighbours, who noticed smoke coming from the roof, to raise the alarm.

They banged on the front door and made sure all the family got out uninjured.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the property suffered 20 per cent damage to its first floor and 70 per cent damage to the roof area.

A spokeswoman said: "Because it started in the roof I don't think the family were aware the fire had started."

Smoke alarms were fitted in the house but may not have sounded because the fire started in the loft area, the spokeswoman said.

Six fire engines from Findon, Worthing, Lancing and Shoreham were sent to the scene and had the fire under control by 9.30am.