Residents of a tower block were evacuated after cladding collapsed from the building.

Fire crews were called to Bevin Court in St Leonards after reports of a dangerous structure on the morning of New Year’s Eve.

The area was cordoned off with firefighters assisting with an evacuation of the tower block.

A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) said: “ESFRS was called to Bevin Court in St Leonards following reports of a dangerous structure at 8.19am on December 31.

“A crew and two officers attended the scene and the area was cordoned off and firefighters assisted with the safe evacuation.

“The service left the scene at 11.30am, leaving the cordon in place and the incident was handed over to the housing association.”