A dangerous balcony which was close to collapse meant firefighters had to shut a road.

Emergency services were called this afternoon to Chichester Place, near the Royal Sussex hospital, where the balcony could be seen drooping towards the ground.

Part of the wall on the first-floor building had fallen off leaving the balcony exposed causing a risk of it crashing to the ground.

The Argus: Firefighters inspecting the damageFirefighters inspecting the damage (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Read more: 'Do not go on your balconies' - Stark warning to residents after collapse

The road was closed off at 1pm as specialist firefighters from the technical rescue unit used a ladder truck to get near to the damaged building.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said: "Crews from Roedean and Preston Circus, including the Aerial Ladder Platform, were called today at 12.56pm to reports of a dangerous structure in Chichester Place Brighton."

The structure was made safe again shortly before 4pm.