A canteen was destroyed by fire today on the premises of a metalwork company.

The blaze at the premises of Southdown Construction and Metalwork Ltd, Mill Road, Fishersgate, took hold at approximately 10.10am. Two fire engines from Shoreham and an additional one from Hove were called by staff who noticed the fire, which was put out by 11.20am.

Company director Paul Lidbetter said: "The fire was in our yard area in a portable cabin we use as a staff canteen. Our foreman gave me a shout and we tried to put it out with fire extinguishers before it took hold but it went right up quite quickly."

The cost of replacing the building is not yet known but luckily there was no damage to any other buildings. A row of trees next to the canteen have been damaged by the fire.

Investigators from West Sussex Fire and Rescue attended the scene and are now looking into the cause of the blaze.

Mr Lidbetter added that he thought the possible cause was probably an electrical heater.

A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue said: "Early indications are that the fire was accidental."

No one was hurt in the blaze.