A row of seafront benches have been gutted in a blaze.

The seating, attached to the public toilet block opposite the Dome Cinema in Marine Parade, Worthing, was burnt away in a fire last night. 

The toilets are run by Worthing Borough Council.

The Argus: West Sussex firefighters tackled the blazeWest Sussex firefighters tackled the blaze (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

A spokesman for the council said: "Our changing places accessible toilet opposite the Dome Cinema has unfortunately been damaged this evening by a fire.

"The facility was already out of action because of vandalism but the fire outside it has caused further damage which will delay its reopening.

"We don’t know the cause of the fire yet or exactly how major the necessary repairs will be, but we’ll keep you updated about when we will be able to get the toilet back in use.

"Thank you to the crews from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service for dealing with the fire so quickly and limiting the damage the heat and flames could cause."

It is the second time this month the toilets have been damaged and they will remain closed while repairs take place.

On January 5, the council shared images of a smashed toilet bowl.

The Argus: The toilet bowl was smashed earlier this monthThe toilet bowl was smashed earlier this month (Image: WBC)

A spokesman for the council said then: "We’re sorry to announce that we have had to close the changing places facility opposite the Dome Cinema on the promenade following a second act of vandalism.

"The facility - a larger, accessible toilet with specialist access equipment to support those with mobility issues - was vandalised last week after being broken into. It will remain closed until repairs to the smashed toilet bowl have taken place.

"Our teams worked hard to repair and reopen the community toilet after it was broken into and vandalised in November."

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was contacted for comment.