Police closed a road after a gas leak sent a jet of flames shooting into the air.

Passers-by were left shocked by the huge jet, estimated to measure 25 feet, which shot along Mutton Hall Hill, Heathfield today.

It was sparked by a build up of gas from leaking pipes laid underneath the road.

Officers closed the road for several hours. Nobody was injured and police did not evacuate any homes.

One eyewitness said: "It looked pretty spectacular but the emergency services had the situation under control very quickly."

Gas workers were on the site yesterday carrying out repair work.